Trypoxylon frigidum
F. Smith, 1856
Trypoxylon frigidum is a of square-headed wasp in the Crabronidae. It is found in North America. The species belongs to the subgenus Trypoxylon, characterized by small body size compared to the larger subgenus Trypargilum. Two are recognized: T. f. frigidum and T. f. cornutum.
Pronunciation
How to pronounce Trypoxylon frigidum: /trɪˈpɒksɪlɒn ˈfrɪdʒɪdəm/
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Identification
As a member of the subgenus Trypoxylon, this is small-bodied compared to Trypargilum species. The Trypoxylon can be distinguished from other by: a long, slender, club-shaped () with a blunt tip; only one submarginal in the forewing; and that are (notched on the inner margin). Species-level identification within the subgenus Trypoxylon requires collection of specimens and cannot be reliably accomplished from images alone.
Distribution
North America; recorded from Canada including Alberta.
Diet
Spiders are the prey. As a member of the subgenus Trypoxylon, it likely hunts spiders including web-building and free-ranging , though specific prey records for this species are not documented in available sources.
Behavior
Females are solitary nesters that use pre-existing cavities such as hollow twigs, old borings in dead standing trees, vacated insect galls, and abandoned mud dauber nests. Nests are progressively partitioned into individual from back to front. Males have been observed guarding nest entrances while females hunt or gather materials, and may assist in provisioning, cleaning cavities, and constructing partitions.
Ecological Role
of spiders; contributes to spider . Nest guarding by males may reduce by other insects.
Human Relevance
May be attracted to artificial nest sites such as drilled wooden blocks; contributes to natural pest control through spider . Not aggressive toward humans.
Similar Taxa
- Trypoxylon politumMuch larger in the subgenus Trypargilum that constructs distinctive free-standing mud nests resembling pipe organ tubes, unlike the cavity-nesting habit of T. frigidum. T. politum has white markings on hind leg .
- Trypoxylon californicumLarger in the subgenus Trypargilum; requires specimen examination for reliable separation from other Trypargilum species, and differs from T. frigidum in size and likely geographic range.
More Details
Subspecies
Two are recognized: Trypoxylon frigidum frigidum Gussakovskij, 1932 and Trypoxylon frigidum cornutum Gussakovskij, 1932.