Cerceris
Cerceris
Classification
- Phylum: Arthropoda
- Subphylum: Hexapoda
- Class: Insecta
- Order: Hymenoptera
- Family: Crabronidae
- Subfamily: Philanthinae
- Tribe: Cercerini
- Genus: Cerceris
Pronunciation
How to pronounce Cerceris: //sɛrˈsɛrɪs//
These audio files are automatically generated. While they are not always 100% accurate, they are a good starting point.
Images
Summary
Cerceris is a genus of solitary wasps belonging to the family Philanthidae, known for their unique nesting behaviors and predatory habits primarily targeting beetles. They exhibit notable physical characteristics, such as modified facial structures and distinctively patterned abdomens.
Physical Characteristics
Females have modified faces with unusual projections on the clypeus and clypeal margin, which may appear as conical bulges or elongated horns. The abdominal segments are constricted at the margins, giving a corrugated, accordion-like appearance. Mandibles are somewhat elongated with prominent teeth, exhibiting species-specific shapes.
Identification Tips
Outer veinlet of submarginal cell 3 meets marginal cell not beyond its outer third. Terga lack median or submedian transverse depressions.
Habitat
Females nest in bare but firm soil, creating burrows that can range from 2.5 cm to 1.3 meters in depth, often with a vertical tube leading to horizontal branches.
Distribution
The genus has a cosmopolitan distribution, with species occurring on every continent. Approximately 86 species are found in our area, of which ~30 reach Canada and 29 are in the eastern US.
Diet
Most species prey on adult beetles; some target bees and wasps. Specific prey include weevils (e.g., acorn weevils) and various beetle families such as Scarabaeidae, Cerambycidae, Tenebrionidae, Buprestidae, and Chrysomelidae.
Life Cycle
Cerceris females excavate nests in the soil and provision them with paralyzed prey. After completing the burrow, females hunt for prey to provision the nest.
Reproduction
Most species are solitary, but some share nesting sites or nest communally. Females may leave the entrance of the nest open when away and may seal it later after returning with prey.
Predators
Parasitic velvet ants (Mutillidae) have been observed reared from Cerceris nests.
Ecosystem Role
As predators of beetles and other insects, they play a role in regulating pest populations and contribute to ecosystem dynamics.
Collecting Methods
- Visual search for nests in appropriate soil habitats
Preservation Methods
- Ethanol preservation for specimens
- Drying and pinning for morphological study
Similar Taxa
- Philanthella
- Bembix
- Crabronidae
Tags
- wasps
- Cerceris
- insects
- predators
- Hymenoptera