Cerceris californica

Cresson, 1865

Cerceris californica is a solitary predatory in the Crabronidae. It occurs in Central America and North America. The is a known of Buprestidae beetles (jewel beetles), paralyzing them with its sting to provision underground nests for its offspring. Like other members of the Cerceris, it exhibits prey specialization, though the full breadth of its prey preferences has not been extensively documented.

Pronunciation

How to pronounce Cerceris californica: /sɜːrˈsɛrɪs kælɪˈfɔːrnɪkə/

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Distribution

Central America and North America. GBIF records confirm presence in Middle America and North America.

Diet

of Buprestidae beetles (jewel beetles). The paralyzes prey with its sting but does not kill it, then provisions underground nests with the immobilized beetles for larval consumption.

Life Cycle

Solitary dig nests in the ground. The female provisions each nest with captured prey, lays an on the paralyzed , and seals the cell with soil. The larva develops by consuming the paralyzed prey, then pupates. emerge the following season.

Behavior

Solitary nesting with underground burrow construction. Females hunt for prey to provision nests. The has been observed dropping prey when threatened, a behavior noted in related Cerceris species.

Ecological Role

of Buprestidae beetles. May serve as a biosurveillance indicator for jewel beetle , including such as emerald ash borer, though this application has been more extensively developed for the related Cerceris fumipennis.

Human Relevance

Potential value for detecting Buprestidae , including forest pests. Related (C. fumipennis) are used in citizen science programs for emerald ash borer detection, suggesting similar possible applications for C. californica in its range.

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