Spilomena occidentalis

R. Bohart, 1995

aphid wasp

Spilomena occidentalis is a of solitary in the Crabronidae ( Pemphredoninae). It was described by R. Bohart in 1995. The species is known from North America, with records from Canada including Alberta. Like other members of its , it is a of aphids, provisioning its nests with paralyzed for its .

Pronunciation

How to pronounce Spilomena occidentalis: /ˌspaɪloʊˈmɛnə ˌɒksɪˈdɛntəlɪs/

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Identification

The is characterized by a dark and base. The is oval-shaped and narrow at the top, with short . These features distinguish it from similar Spilomena species, though detailed comparative descriptions with are limited in available sources.

Distribution

North America; recorded from Canada (Alberta).

Similar Taxa

  • Spilomena kimseyaeNamed in honor of the same hymenopterist Lynn Kimsey; both are North Spilomena described in the 1990s, but S. kimseyae was described by Antropov in 1993 and S. occidentalis by Bohart in 1995
  • Other Spilomena species members share -hunting and similar body plans; specific identification requires examination of coloration, base color, and shape

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Sources and further reading