Chrysura hirsuta

Chrysura hirsuta can range in length from 7 to 11 mm long. The head and mesosoma of the wasp are blue or dark green in colour, with a possible presence of golden green reflection. The metasoma of the wasp however is golden red or in rare circumstances golden green in colour. The mandibles possess a sizeable subapical tooth and the scutellum of the metathorax is flat. The flight period of C. hirsuta is between April and July.^[1] This species is believed to reproduce via thelytokous parthenogenesis, due to a higher female to male sex ratio.^[2]

Chrysura hirsuta can be found within the Trans-Palearctic region from Western Europe through to East Asia. The species has been recorded in the countries and territories of: Albania, Austria, Belarus, Belgium, Czech Republic, Corsica, China, Estonia, Finland, France, Germany, Greece, Hungary, Italy, Japan, Korea, Latvia, Lithuania, Norway, Sweden, Slovakia, Switzerland, Poland and the United Kingdom.^[3][1][4]

C. hirsuta has also been found living within the Pyrenees mountain range.^[3]

Chrysura hirsuta can be found living in a variety of habitats including mountains,^[3] meadows, woodlands and glades.^[1] Due to being a parasitic species, their populations can only survive in proximity to a population of their mason bee host species. C. hirsuta are often found flying in close proximity to drystone walls,^[3] rocky outcrops and dead wood,^[1] which are places their host species are known to build their nests.