Rare ruby-tailed wasp discovered on Whitmoor Common

A rare, ruby-tailed wasp Hedychrum niemelai has been discovered by Surrey Wildlife Trust (SWT) at Whitmoor Common, near Guildford. 

The wasp is a Nationally Scarce species, restricted to southern England and never before found on Whitmoor Common.

SWT Volunteer Assistant Ranger, Iain Buchanan, who made the exciting discovery, was helping Nuffield Science students study the Silver-studded blue butterfly and two other species of wasp at the time.

Iain spotted the female wasp, which is not much longer than a finger nail but a bright red and green metallic colour, one recent hot afternoon on a sandy public footpath, where it was carrying out its devious survival tactics.  The ruby-tailed wasp is also known as a ‘cuckoo wasp’ as it enters the burrows of other solitary wasps and lays an egg, leaving the unwitting foster parents to look after it. The wasp’s stunning armour plating has evolved for protection, in case it gets caught in the act.

SWT, which manages Whitmoor Common on behalf of SCC, will continue to maintain the footpaths to encourage the presence of the ruby tailed wasp’s host wasp, Cerceris spp, which favours dry compacted sand in which to dig its burrows.

Iain Buchanan, SWT volunteer ranger, said: “Wasps generally get a bad press; in fact the mere mention of a wasp often causes a sense of fear and loathing. But how could anyone not be bedazzled by the beauty and splendour of this little gem? It’s a real jewel amongst wasps.”