<p>This splendid creature is only about 8mm long. It's a Ruby-tailed wasp, one of several very similar species of kleptoparasitic wasp. They're also known as Cuckoo wasps, as they lay their eggs inside the nests of other (solitary) wasp species. The vibrantly coloured cuticle acts as armour, enabling them to roll into a ball if detected. It can also fool the host species by releasing chemicals which mimic its scent profile.</p><div></div>