Dryudella

Spinola, 1843

Species Guides

1

Dryudella is a of solitary digger wasps in the Crabronidae, Astatinae, containing over 50 described distributed across the Holarctic region. These small (typically under 10 mm) are specialized of true bugs (Hemiptera), with females constructing nest burrows in sandy soils to provision their offspring. Males exhibit distinctive that meet at the top of the and possess broad hind wings that enable rapid from perches on twigs and stems. The genus shows sexual segregation, with females typically in shaded nesting areas and males in sunny locations.

Dryudella caerulea by CBG Photography Group, Centre for Biodiversity Genomics. Used under a CC0 license.

Pronunciation

How to pronounce Dryudella: /dɹaɪʊˈdɛlə/

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Identification

Males distinguished by that wrap around and meet at the crown of the , and broad hind wings; females have normal separated eyes and unmodified wings. Smaller than the related Astata, with which it shares Astatinae; Astata males lack the often white seen in Dryudella and differ in wing venation. -level identification requires examination of wing venation and other subtle morphological characters.

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Habitat

Sandy soils for female nesting; open areas with perches such as twigs and stems for male territories. In North America, primarily associated with arid western ; in Europe, found in sandy, shaded areas for nesting with males in adjacent sunny areas.

Distribution

Holarctic distribution with approximately 29 in the Palearctic and the remainder in the Nearctic. In North America, species are almost entirely restricted to western portions of the continent. Recorded from Europe (including Poland, Ukraine, Denmark, Norway, Sweden), with D. lineata known from only eight countries and considered rare.

Seasonality

active during warmer months. In Poland, D. stigma shows praepupal from mid-July to end of May, with in late spring.

Diet

feed on nectar; larvae are provisioned with paralyzed true bugs (Hemiptera). For D. stigma, adults have been observed visiting Achillea millefolium (Asteraceae) as a primary nectar source.

Life Cycle

Females are , excavating nest burrows 10–12 cm deep with one terminal . Each cell is provisioned with multiple prey items before an is laid. For D. stigma: egg stage 2–3 days, larval stage 11–14 days, praepupal stage overwinters in cocoon from mid-July to end of May.

Behavior

Males perch on twig tips and flower , using their expanded visual field to detect females and rivals, then dart rapidly in pursuit. Females hunt true bugs and transport paralyzed prey beneath the body while flying. Sexual segregation observed: females nest in sandy shaded areas, males occupy sunny territories.

Ecological Role

of heteropteran nymphs including stink bugs (Pentatomidae), coreid bugs, and rhopalid bugs; may contribute to pollination through nectar feeding.

Similar Taxa

  • AstataSister in Astatinae; Dryudella are generally smaller, and males have white absent in Astata males; wing venation differs between genera.

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