Andrenosoma fulvicaudum

(Say, 1823)

Northern Chiselmouth

Andrenosoma fulvicaudum is a ( ) in the Laphriinae, distributed across most of North America. measure 15–20 mm and are characterized by distinctive reddish- abdominal contrasting with -black segments. The is associated with dry, sandy and dead wood, where adults perch on sunlit tree trunks and logs to hunt small . develop as of wood-boring larvae.

Andrenosoma fulvicaudum by (c) Ken-ichi Ueda, some rights reserved (CC BY), uploaded by Ken-ichi Ueda. Used under a CC-BY license.

Pronunciation

How to pronounce Andrenosoma fulvicaudum: //ænˌdrɛnoʊˈsoʊmə fʊlˈvaɪkaʊdəm//

These audio files are automatically generated. While they are not always 100% accurate, they are a good starting point.

Identification

Distinguished from other eastern North by the combination of: reddish- abdominal ( 3–4 segments) contrasting with dark segments; black mystax with stout bristles; -haired and ; dark with brownish-smudged ; and . The only of Andrenosoma in eastern North America; western and Texas species are .

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Habitat

Dry, sandy locations with trees; specifically acidic sandstone barrens, pine-oak forests, and recently burned forests. rest on logs, stumps, and tree trunks (especially dead pines and oaks) exposed to bright sunlight.

Distribution

Widespread across most of North America. Eastern North America: only of Andrenosoma present. Western : additional species restricted to Texas (4 species) and western United States (1 species). reaches greatest diversity in the Neotropics.

Seasonality

active in July and August. Attracted to recently burned forests.

Diet

on small hymenopterans ( and ) and have been observed feeding on wood-boring (, ) and ().

Host Associations

Life Cycle

. and develop under bark of dead wood, particularly oak logs, in association with wood-boring larvae. occurs in characteristic pupal cases that may protrude from holes in dead wood. Specific developmental duration unknown.

Behavior

are sit-and-wait , perching motionless on sunlit tree trunks and logs to ambush passing . Attracted to smoke and recently burned forests, likely due to increased availability of larval food resources (wood-boring in fire-killed trees).

Ecological Role

at two : control of small hymenopterans and other ; on wood-boring larvae (, ), potentially regulating populations of these forest pests.

Human Relevance

Of minor direct economic importance. potential through on wood-boring . Subject of entomological interest due to association with fire and wood-boring beetle .

Similar Taxa

  • Laphria spp.Also in Laphriinae with similar build and -mimic coloration in some ; distinguished by different abdominal color patterns and lack of reddish .
  • Other Andrenosoma speciesFour restricted to Texas and one to western U.S.; distributions prevent confusion with A. fulvicaudum in eastern North America.

More Details

Taxonomic history

Originally described as Laphria fulvicauda by Thomas Say in 1823 based on a specimen from Missouri; the has been lost.

Fire ecology association

Documented attraction to recently burned forests, where fire-killed trees provide fresh substrate for wood-boring —the of A. fulvicaudum larvae.

Larval development

Laphriinae are unique among in that all have that on wood-boring larvae; this is the only with this specialized larval .

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Sources and further reading