Leucospis slossonae
Weld, 1922
Leucospis slossonae is a parasitic in the , a group of unusually large chalcidoid wasps. Like other leucospids, females possess a distinctive whip-like that curls over the top of the , used to drill into wood and deposit in the nests of solitary . The is known from the southeastern United States.
Pronunciation
How to pronounce Leucospis slossonae: /luˈkɔspɪs slɒˈsɒni/
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Identification
Leucospis slossonae can be distinguished from other North American Leucospis by specific morphological features, though detailed diagnostic characters require specialist examination. All Leucospis species share the diagnostic traits: greatly swollen, toothed hind and forewings folded longitudinally at rest. Females are recognized by the slender, whip-like arching over the ; males lack this structure and are smaller. The black and yellow coloration resembles mason and (), but the swollen hind femora and -folding pattern distinguish leucospids from vespids.
Distribution
Southeastern United States: recorded from Alabama, Florida, and Georgia.
Host Associations
Similar Taxa
- Leucospis affinisMost common and widespread North American leucospid; L. slossonae distinguished by geographic range (southeastern vs. widespread) and subtle morphological differences
- Monobia quadridensFour-toothed shares black and yellow coloration and longitudinal -folding, but lacks swollen hind and has different body proportions
- Chrysis are also parasitic with metallic coloration, but have compact, rounded bodies and different parasitic strategy (cleptoparasitism in completed nests vs. ectoparasitism on )
More Details
Taxonomic Note
Leucospis slossonae is one of six North American in the Leucospis. The is unusual among for its relatively large body size (3-14 mm for the genus) and distinctive .