Phanagenia
Banks, 1933
Phanagenia is a of in the tribe Ageniellini, . The genus contains only one in North America, Phanagenia . These are solitary hunters that construct mud nests to house their offspring, provisioning them with paralyzed .
Pronunciation
How to pronounce Phanagenia: //ˌfænəˈdʒeɪniə//
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Identification
Distinguished from other Ageniellini by its slightly larger size compared to the related Auplopus. Phanagenia is found east of the Rocky Mountains, whereas Auplopus has a more widespread distribution.
Images
Appearance
Small, thin, and wiry . range from 5 mm to 15 mm in length. Most are black, including Phanagenia , with iridescent black .
Habitat
Woodlands and woodland edges. rarely visit flowers.
Distribution
North America; Phanagenia occurs east of the Rocky Mountains.
Diet
(paralyzed and used as larval provisions).
Life Cycle
Females construct mud barrel nests, often inside the abandoned nests of the pipe organ mud dauber (Trypoxylon politum). Each nest is provisioned with paralyzed and contains a single . The feeds on the paralyzed , pupates, and emerges as an .
Behavior
Solitary nest-building . Females are not aggressive and will not attack humans even while constructing nests. Nests are often built inside pre-existing mud structures rather than constructed de novo.
Ecological Role
of . May serve as for parasitic (specific not well documented).
Human Relevance
Non-aggressive; poses no risk to humans. Nests are sometimes destroyed as perceived nuisances, but is encouraged. Nests can be collected for rearing to study - relationships.
Similar Taxa
More Details
Nest site selection
Phanagenia frequently reuses the abandoned mud nests of Trypoxylon politum (pipe organ mud dauber), building its own mud inside these pre-existing structures.