Nysson plagiatus
Cresson, 1882
Nysson plagiatus is a of solitary in the Crabronidae, Bembicinae. It is a that exploits the food caches of other solitary wasps, particularly species in the Hoplisoides that hunt . The species was described by Cresson in 1882 and occurs in North America. Like other members of the genus Nysson, females locate burrows, open them, destroy the host , and replace it with their own egg, allowing their to consume the provisioned by the host wasp.
Pronunciation
How to pronounce Nysson plagiatus: /ˈnɪs.sɔn pləˈdʒaɪ.ə.təs/
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Distribution
North America; recorded from Canada (Alberta) and the United States
Host Associations
- Hoplisoides nebulosus - Nysson plagiatus parasitizes nests of this -hunting , entering burrows to replace with its own
- Membracidae - indirect are the provisioned by ; N. plagiatus consume paralyzed treehoppers intended for host offspring
Life Cycle
Females locate closed burrows of , dig them open, destroy the host , and their own egg on the items. The hatches and consumes the paralyzed prey provisioned by the host mother. Multiple nests may be made by a single female during her lifetime.
Behavior
Kleptoparasitic: females seek out and exploit the food stores of other solitary rather than hunting themselves. Enters burrows -first, in contrast to many burrowing wasps that back out during construction.
Ecological Role
of other solitary ; control of -hunting wasps. Part of a complex parasitic involving , , and satellite that exploit similar resources.
Similar Taxa
- Nysson rusticusCongeneric kleptoparasitic with similar biology and relationships; both exploit Crabronidae nests
- Stizoides renicinctusAnother kleptoparasitic crabronid that exploits nests of -hunting wasps (Prionyx, Palmodes); similar but different preferences
- Elampus viridicyaneus ( ) that also parasitizes Hoplisoides nests; convergent kleptoparasitic strategy
More Details
Taxonomic note
The Bembicidae is sometimes treated as a (Bembicinae) within Crabronidae. The Nysson belongs to the tribe Nyssonini, subtribe Nyssonina.
Parasite guild
Hoplisoides nests are vulnerable to multiple due to minimal time spent on final burrow closure. Nysson plagiatus is one of several parasites documented, alongside (Elampus), (Dasymutilla vesta), and satellite (Senotainia trilineata).