Ancistrocerus adiabatus

(de Saussure, 1853)

Bramble Mason Wasp

Species Guides

Ancistrocerus adiabatus cytainus

Ancistrocerus adiabatus is a small potter wasp in the Eumeninae, commonly known as the Bramble . reach approximately 11 mm in length. This is notable as the first documented case of large- in eumenine , with 44,000–68,000 individuals observed moving through a migration corridor in southwestern Ontario in less than an hour. It is multivoltine, producing multiple per year.

Ancistrocerus adiabatus cytainus by (c) Trevor Van Loon, some rights reserved (CC BY), uploaded by Trevor Van Loon. Used under a CC-BY license.

Ancistrocerus adiabatus abadiatus by the Smithsonian. Used under a CC0 license.

Pronunciation

How to pronounce Ancistrocerus adiabatus: /ænˌsɪtroʊˈsɛrəs ˌædiəˈbeɪtəs/

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Images

Distribution

Southwestern Ontario, Canada; Vermont, USA. The event was documented at a known migration corridor in southwestern Ontario.

Life Cycle

Multivoltine (multiple per year).

Behavior

Has been observed engaging in large- , a previously unknown in eumenine .

Similar Taxa

Ancistrocerus unifasciatusBoth are eastern North American mason wasps in the same with similar hunting , but A. unifasciatus has distinct yellow markings on the , , and legs, and has not been documented as migratory.
Ancistrocerus campestrisSimilar size range and general , but A. campestris has yellow hind margins on the first three abdominal segments and uses different caterpillar prey (Amphisbatidae and Gelechiidae).
Ancistrocerus waldeniiBoth construct mud nests, but A. waldenii builds free-form mud nests attached to hard surfaces (rocks, concrete, flower pots) rather than using pre-existing cavities, and has white markings with a spot on T6 in females.