Acroricnus stylator

Classification

Phylum: Arthropoda
Subphylum: Hexapoda
Class: Insecta
Order: Hymenoptera
Superfamily: Ichneumonoidea
Family: Ichneumonidae
Subfamily: Cryptinae
Tribe: Cryptini
Subtribe: Osprynchotina
Genus: Acroricnus
Species: stylator

Pronunciation

How to pronounce Acroricnus stylator: /ˌæ.krəˈrɪk.nəs staɪˈleɪ.tər/

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Images

Acroricnus stylator axilaris by the Smithsonian. Used under a CC0 license.

Summary

Acroricnus stylator is a parasitic wasp species within the Ichneumonidae family, with multiple subspecies characterized by distinct color patterns and found in various regions across North America. They primarily parasitize other wasps that build mud nests.

Physical Characteristics

Subspecies have varying coloration: A. s. aequatus has a black hind femur and entirely yellow hind tibia; A. s. edwardsii features a prominently yellow abdomen and yellow-tinged wings; A. s. excelsus may have a fulvous or black hind femur with yellow hind tibia with a dark apex; A. s. niger has a black hind femur and yellow hind tibia with dark apex; A. s. stylator shows an entirely fulvous hind femur with a yellow hind tibia featuring a dark apex; A. s. townesi has a fulvous hind femur at the base and entirely yellow hind tibia.

Identification Tips

Identify by the color patterns on the hind femur and tibia, and markings on the propodeum and metapleurum which differ across subspecies.

Habitat

Typically found in areas where wasps with mud nests are located, particularly in North America.

Distribution

Holarctic; specific subspecies have distributions from northern British Columbia and West Northwest Territories down to southern California and New Mexico, across varying states in between.

Diet

Parasitoid of wasps that build mud nests, including Ancistrocerus, Eumenes, and Sceliphron.

Life Cycle

Life cycle details are not explicitly mentioned; as a member of Ichneumonidae, it likely undergoes complete metamorphosis, with larvae developing inside or on the host wasps.

Reproduction

Specific reproductive behaviors are not detailed; as a parasitoid, it likely involves laying eggs in or on host species.

Ecosystem Role

Acts as a natural controller of certain wasp populations by parasitizing them, potentially influencing the dynamics of the ecosystems where these wasps reside.