Prionyx thomae

(Fabricius, 1775)

Prionyx thomae is a solitary, thread-waisted in the . It is one of seven Prionyx in the United States, ranging from the southeastern and western U.S. south to Argentina. The species is a of , paralyzing them with to provision underground nests for its . It lacks a common English name, reflecting its limited economic importance.

Biologia Centrali-Americana - Sphex thomae by Unknown authorUnknown author. Used under a Public domain license.Peter cameron bca 13 02 00 441 by Peter Cameron (1847-1912) Scanned by Smithsonian Institute Library Because of Bridgeman v. Corel this picture is public domain, and Smithsonian Institute Library can't pretend copyright.. Used under a Public domain license.Prionyx thomae, M, face, Guantanamo Bay, Cuba 2012-11-13-11.14.17 ZS PMax (8343728069) by USGS Native Bee Inventory and Monitoring Laboratory from Beltsville, USA. Used under a Public domain license.

Pronunciation

How to pronounce Prionyx thomae: /ˈpriː.ə.nɪks ˈθoʊ.miː/

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Identification

Prionyx thomae closely resembles P. parkeri and P. canadensis, but can be distinguished from P. parkeri by the latter's two pairs of long (part of the mouthparts). It can be separated from P. canadensis by geographic range and associations. Like other Prionyx , it has a globose , stout spiny legs, and a thread-waisted . The species is black and red with silvery highlights, unlike the entirely black P. atratus and P. subatratus.

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Habitat

Open areas with sandy or damp, rocky soil suitable for burrowing. Observed in shortgrass prairie, degraded prairie with social trails, and arroyo environments. In Brazil, found at multiple locations in Rio de Janeiro State.

Distribution

Ranges from the southeastern and western United States south to Argentina. In the U.S., occurs in Arizona (Madera Canyon), and has been recorded from South Dakota northward. GBIF records indicate presence in North America, Middle America, the Caribbean, and South America.

Diet

of ( ). Documented includes Conozoa carinata, Amphitornus, Aulocara, Orphulella pelidna, Arphia xanthoptera, Dissosteira carolina, Encoptolopus subgracilis, and Paraidemona. In Brazil, observed preying on Orphulella , Rhammatocerus pseudocyanipes, Abracris flavolineata, and Ronderosia bergi.

Life Cycle

Solitary nesting . The female excavates a burrow after securing . The burrow may be curved, linear, or L-shaped, terminating in a single chamber that receives one paralyzed . An is laid on the prey, and the entrance is sealed before the female departs to repeat the . Larval development has been described from Brazilian .

Behavior

Females transport paralyzed to nest burrows, carrying that may exceed their own body size. They secure prey before digging, leaving the victim at a distance from the excavation site—possibly to minimize exposure to . During nesting, females exhibit alert, nervous , snapping at approaching . Males have been observed exhibiting territorial behavior in Brazil. When disturbed during burrow excavation, females may abandon the site and prey. Nest closure involves packing loose soil into the tunnel and obliterating surface evidence.

Ecological Role

of (), potentially contributing to grasshopper . Serves as for kleptoparasitic satellite ( , Miltogramminae), which lay or on the 's , starving the wasp larvae.

Human Relevance

Of no direct economic importance. Occasionally encountered by and naturalists in field settings. May be incidentally observed in gardens and open spaces with suitable nesting substrate.

Similar Taxa

  • Prionyx parkeriSimilar black and red coloration with silvery highlights; distinguished by two pairs of long on mouthparts
  • Prionyx canadensisSimilar appearance; distinguished by geographic range and associations; not confirmed in southeast Arizona where P. thomae occurs
  • Prionyx atratusEntirely black coloration (no red), stockier build with shorter not extending beyond wingtips at rest; females have silvery or gold
  • Sphex lucaeSimilar thread-waisted appearance and color pattern (female black with red ); distinguished by more oval abdomen, lack of silvery facial , and rather than

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