Ampulicidae

Definition

A family of sphecoid wasps (Hymenoptera: Apoidea) commonly called cockroach wasps, characterized by elongated mandibles, a pronounced neck-like constriction behind the head, strongly petiolate abdomen, and deep thoracic grooves. All species are solitary hunters that provision nests with paralyzed cockroaches as larval food. The family is considered the most basal lineage among sphecoid hunting wasps, with primarily tropical distribution; many species exhibit ant-mimicry or brilliant metallic coloration.

Etymology

From the type genus Ampulex (Latin ampulla, small flask or bottle, referring to body shape) + family suffix -idae.

Example

Ampulex compressa, the emerald cockroach wasp, stings the brain and ganglia of its Periplaneta cockroach prey to induce hypokinesia, then drags the subdued host to a burrow where a single egg is laid on the coxa.

Synonyms

• cockroach wasps

Related Terms

• Sphecidae
• Crabronidae
• Apoidea
• Spheciformes
• Ampulex
• Dolichurus
• provisioning
• host manipulation
• solitary wasp

Usage Notes

Formerly treated as a subfamily (Ampulicinae) within Sphecidae, now universally ranked as family following phylogenetic analyses. The family comprises two extant subfamilies: Ampulicinae and Dolichurinae. Distinct from cockroach egg parasitoids in Evaniidae; Ampulicidae attack adult and nymphal cockroaches. Some authors use 'ampulicid' as an adjective (e.g., ampulicid wasps).