Sapyga louisi

Krombein, 1938

Louis's Club-horned Cuckoo Wasp, club-horned cuckoo wasp

A small of club-horned in the Sapygidae. visit flowers for nectar. The larvae are kleptoparasites that develop by consuming the provisions and larvae of leaf-cutter bees, including Heriades carinata. The species is distinguished from allies by distinctive yellow body markings and reduced size.

Sapyga louisi by the Smithsonian. Used under a CC0 license.Sapyga louisi by the Smithsonian. Used under a CC0 license.Sapyga louisi by the Smithsonian. Used under a CC0 license.

Pronunciation

How to pronounce Sapyga louisi: //səˈpaɪɡə ˈluːɪsi//

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Identification

Distinguished from allied Sapyga by small size and specific yellow markings. Inner orbits marked from to near upper margin. with narrow band (narrowly interrupted), lateral spots on pronotum, paired scutellar spots, and post-scutellar band. Propodeum with lateral spots. with broad uniform band on second segment and lateral spots on subsequent segments (narrowing medially). Sternites with lateral spots on segments 2–4. Males differ from females by reduced yellow markings: lacking lateral pronotal spots, scutellar spots, and sternal spots on segments 3 and 4.

Images

Distribution

Recorded from Vermont, United States; additional distribution details not documented in available sources.

Diet

feed from flowers. Larvae are kleptoparasites of leaf-cutter larvae, specifically documented from Heriades carinata.

Host Associations

Ecological Role

As a kleptoparasite of leaf-cutter bees, the may influence local and resource partitioning among cavity-nesting Hymenoptera.

Similar Taxa

  • Sapyga spp.congeneric distinguished by larger size and different yellow marking patterns; S. louisi specifically identified by small stature and detailed pattern of thoracic and abdominal markings
  • other Sapygidae members share club-horned but differ in specific marking patterns and associations

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Sources and further reading