Pemphredoninae
Pemphredoninae
Classification
- Phylum: Arthropoda
- Subphylum: Hexapoda
- Class: Insecta
- Order: Hymenoptera
- Family: Crabronidae
- Subfamily: Pemphredoninae
Pronunciation
How to pronounce Pemphredoninae: /pɛmfrɛˈdoʊnɪniː/
These audio files are automatically generated. While they are not always 100% accurate, they are a good starting point.
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Summary
Pemphredoninae is a subfamily of solitary wasps known for their hunting and nesting behaviors, primarily preying on aphids and other small insects. Their classification has undergone revisions, reclassifying related groups into distinct families.
Physical Characteristics
Pemphredoninae can be distinguished from Psenidae by the presence of no more than two submarginal cells in the forewings, while Psenidae have three. They exhibit morphological variations across the 240 species found in the specified area.
Identification Tips
Look for solitary wasps that forage for prey like aphids or thrips. Pay attention to the wing structure; specifically, the number of submarginal cells in their forewings can help identify the difference between this subfamily and others.
Habitat
These wasps are typically found in areas where they can dig tunnels in the ground or into plant material for nesting.
Distribution
In the specific area, there are 240 species across 23 genera. Globally, there are over 1170 species across 43 genera and 4 tribes.
Diet
Larvae are carnivorous, fed on paralyzed living prey, primarily aphids and thrips, which the adult females provision in their nests.
Life Cycle
Females hunt for prey to provision their nests, where they lay eggs. Larvae then feed on the paralyzed prey after hatching.
Reproduction
Mating occurs prior to female foraging. Females dig nests where they lay eggs on provisioned prey.
Ecosystem Role
Pemphredoninae serve as pollinators and biological control agents due to their predation on pest species like aphids.
Collecting Methods
- Sweep netting in areas with known habitats
- Trap sampling near vegetation where prey species are abundant
Preservation Methods
- Pinning specimens through the thorax
- Storing in alcohol for molecular analysis
Evolution
Previously treated as a subfamily under Crabronidae, Pemphredoninae's classification has been revised after phylogenetic studies indicated paraphyly.
Similar Taxa
- Psenidae
- Ammoplanidae
- Philanthidae
Misconceptions
There is a common misconception that all wasps are aggressive; however, Pemphredoninae are primarily solitary and non-aggressive unless provoked.
Tags
- wasps
- insects
- biology
- Hymenoptera