Chrysis impressa Schenck,1856

Description and notes

Disagreement exists considering the definition of this name. Linsenmaier (1997) treats this taxon as a subspecies of C. ignita. Kunz (1994) considers C. impressa to be a synonym of C. ignita. Morgan (1984) regards C. impressa as a separate species from C. ignita. Here it is meant in the sense given by Morgan (1984).


Throughout England,Wales, Scotland and Ireland but not found on the Orkney and Shetland Islands. Recorded from the Isle of Man, Isle of Wight, the Isles of Scilly and the Channel Islands.

Probably throughout Europe, although authors often treat C. impressa and C. ignita as one species.

Status (in Britain only)

This species is not regarded as being scarce or threatened.


Found around walls, quarry and bare cliff faces and at dead wood in sunny situations where their hosts are likely to be found.

Flight period

May to September.

Nesting biology

Its host is probably a eumenine wasp. Morgan (1984) mentions Ancistrocerus parietinus and A. trifasciatus. Reared from A. trifasciatus by Mike Edwards.

Flowers visited

No specific information found.


No specific information found.

Author of profile

M E Archer.

Year profile last updated