Podium rufipes

Fabricius, 1804

Podium rufipes is a thread-waisted wasp in the Sphecidae, averaging 19 mm in length. Females are known to repurpose abandoned nests from Sceliphron and wood-boring beetles, or construct trap nests in wood. The provisions its young with paralyzed nymphs.

Podium rufipes by no rights reserved, uploaded by Ken Kneidel. Used under a CC0 license.Podium rufipes by no rights reserved, uploaded by Brady Reed. Used under a CC0 license.

Pronunciation

How to pronounce Podium rufipes: /ˈpoː.di.um ˈruː.fi.peːs/

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Identification

Podium rufipes can be distinguished by its black body with a blue tint and red legs that usually have at least the basal fourth of the black. The combination of blue-tinted black body and partially black-based red legs separates it from other Podium .

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Distribution

Widely distributed across the Americas, with records from the Caribbean, Middle America, North America, and South America. Specific documented localities include Brazilian states: Acre, Amazonas, Bahia, Distrito Federal, Goiás, Minas Gerais, Pará, Rondônia, and São Paulo.

Diet

females provision nests with paralyzed nymphs as food for their developing young.

Behavior

Females exhibit flexible nesting , either repurposing existing abandoned nests or constructing new trap nests in wood. They hunt and paralyze nymphs to provision larval .

Similar Taxa

  • SceliphronPodium rufipes females repurpose abandoned nests originally constructed by Sceliphron , which may lead to misidentification of active nests.

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Sources and further reading