Prionyx fervens

(Linnaeus, 1758)

Prionyx fervens is a solitary thread-waisted wasp in the Sphecidae. It is a ground-nesting that hunts grasshoppers, paralyzes them, and provisions its burrow with living prey for larval development. The ranges from Argentina to the southern United States, with documented nesting observed in coastal southeastern Brazil.

Pronunciation

How to pronounce Prionyx fervens: /ˈpraɪ.ə.nɪks ˈfɜːr.vɛnz/

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Habitat

Coastal environments with sandy, shelly, clay substrates; margins of dirt roads near beaches; exposed sunny areas without litter.

Distribution

Argentina to southern United States; documented in Brazil (Rio de Janeiro State, Municipality of Macaé), with records from Amapá, Bahia, Ceará, Espírito Santo, Minas Gerais, Mato Grosso, Pará, Rio de Janeiro, and São Paulo states.

Diet

Grasshoppers ( Acrididae). Documented prey includes Schistocerca cancellata, Schistocerca flavofasciata, Schistocerca paranensis, and Xyphocera discoides.

Life Cycle

hatches approximately 3 days after laying. Larva feeds on paralyzed prey, initially internally then externally. Larval development from hatching to cocoon spinning takes approximately 4 days. Cocoon formation is completed in approximately 7 hours, with an internal coating of brownish excreted substance.

Behavior

Female hunts prey before excavating nest, temporarily stores paralyzed on vegetation then ground. Prey is dragged to nest by grasping with . Wing vibration occurs during prey transport. Defensive stereotyped leg movement when threatened. Vigilance pauses during nest excavation involve rapid movement and visual scanning. Characteristic buzzing sounds produced during excavation and nest closure. Soil is thrown backward during digging and closure.

Ecological Role

and of grasshoppers; control agent for acridid grasshoppers.