Pemphredon

Pronunciation

How to pronounce Pemphredon: /pɛmˈfrɛdən/

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Summary

Pemphredon is a genus of digger wasps in the family Pemphredonidae, known for their predatory behavior on aphids, and is commonly found in Holarctic regions, particularly Europe.

Physical Characteristics

Often small and black in color with some similarity to ants; features a short, furrowed abdominal stem, two submarginal cells in the forewing, and a well-developed head, especially behind the compound eyes.

Identification Tips

Species identification is difficult; based on the course of the submarginal veins, the genus is divided into three species groups (or subgenera): lugubris, morio, and lethifer.

Habitat

Females usually build nests in hollow or marrowy stems or branches, sometimes using abandoned feeding tunnels in wood or plant galls.

Distribution

Common in the Holarctic, with 12 species represented in Europe.

Diet

Larvae feed on Aphididae; adults may feed on honeydew or aphids themselves.

Life Cycle

Females usually build nests containing 10 to 60 aphids per cell; typically, one generation a year develops, but it can be two in favorable conditions.

Reproduction

Females lay eggs on or between paralyzed aphid prey in the nest cells. The species are proterandric, with males hatching a few days before females.

Predators

Parasitoids from the cuckoo wasps, ichneumon flies, Gasteruptiidae, and chalcidoid wasps are known.

Ecosystem Role

Considered beneficial due to their specialization in controlling aphid populations.

Tags

• Hymenoptera
• wasps
• predators
• beneficial insects
• species groups