Hedychridium roseum is a species of small, solitary wasp usually found in sandy areas. It is appropriately called a ‘cuckoo’ wasp because of its egg-laying habit: the female wasp will seek out an unattended nest of another solitary wasp (usually Astata boops which preys on the nymphs of shield bugs) and lays its eggs next to those of its host. The returning adult host seals up the entrance to the nest, leaving both batches of eggs to hatch. The emerging larvae of the cuckoo wasp feed on those of its host before consuming their food store of dead nymphs and other insects.
Another name for these small wasps (which are less than 1cm in length) is ruby-tailed wasps because of the iridescent colouration of their bodies. They may normally be seen flying from late June to late August.
