Chrysis ignita

One of the spectacular jewel-like ruby-tailed wasps - the commonest I think.

In the live photos this insect looks much greener and pinker than the specimen appeared when I examined it two years after caputre. I examined it at the same time as a fresh Chrysis terminata from 2023 and the ignita appeared much bluer on the thorax and a more orangey-pink on the abdomen. Were they that different alive despite this not being apparent in the photos, or had the ignita changed over time after death?

I used Michael Archer's key to identify this. It wasn't easy (I found the shape of the abdomen particularly hard to judge), but I think I got there in the end... Compared to the Chrysis terminata that I examined at the same time the ignita was smaller and the frontal carina was much less pronounced (and less toothy). The teeth on the posterior margin of the third tergite were similar but a little longer and sharper.

female Chrysis ignita showing frontal carina from above and in front, scapal basin, mandible, thorax from side, central tergite puncturing, tergite 3 including teeth, abdomen from above and sternite 2, North Elmham (Norfolk, UK), 18th July 2021