A few years back I lifted a tiny Chrysid from a swimming pool in France that was later ID'd as Chrysis varidens - supposedly a neat find. So this year I tried to keep my eyes open for small Chrysids between the many, many iridescent Dipterans and in the end found (only) one, but not C. varidens this time I'm pretty sure.
This one is a tad bigger I think, around 6mm and has a different colour scheme and as far as I can see no "spines" on the end of the abdomen. I don't know the first thing about Hymenopterans but from looking at the gallery the colour scheme (yes, yes, sorry I know ..) seems to be most like Hedychridium ardens maybe - but that's a long shot and I really don't know what to look for anyway.
Please note that in the images below the animal is mostly still wet (which may influence the iridiscent colours somewhat?) and is taking on all sorts of unnatural poses in the process of drying-up/grooming.
France, Charente-Maritime, taken from swimming pool 2010-07-05, roughly 6mm (give or take 0.5mm).
More images/angles available
Thanks in advance!
Cheers, Arp
