Ancistrocerus gazella

Classification

Phylum: Arthropoda
Subphylum: Hexapoda
Class: Insecta
Order: Hymenoptera
Superfamily: Vespoidea
Family: Vespidae
Subfamily: Eumeninae
Genus: Ancistrocerus
Species: gazella

Pronunciation

How to pronounce Ancistrocerus gazella: /ænˌsɪstroʊˈsɪrʌs ɡəˈzɛlə/

These audio files are automatically generated. While they are not always 100% accurate, they are a good starting point.

Images

Ancistrocerus gazella by the Smithsonian. Used under a CC0 license.

Ancistrocerus gazella (NZAC06000819) by Don Horne. Used under a CC BY 4.0 license.

Ancistrocerus gazella (33975282634) by Dirk Pons. Used under a CC BY 2.0 license.

Ancistrocerus gazella (NZAC06001026) by Don Horne. Used under a CC BY 4.0 license.

Ancistrocerus gazella Piazzo 04 by Syrio. Used under a CC BY-SA 4.0 license.

Summary

Ancistrocerus gazella, known as the European potter wasp or European tube wasp, is a potter wasp species notable for its unique nesting behaviors and ecological role as a caterpillar predator and pollinator. It has been introduced to regions outside of its native range, including parts of the US and New Zealand.

Physical Characteristics

Males do not possess a sting, and the sting of a female is considered not painful.

Identification Tips

Look for wasps foraging for nectar on flowers or nesting in small cracks or holes. Females can be identified by their nesting behavior and collection of caterpillars.

Habitat

Found in varied habitats, including river banks, coastal areas, parkland, open woodland, and urban areas, particularly where sandy or clay soil is present.

Distribution

Originally native to Europe including Norway, Sweden, Netherlands, France, Spain, Germany, Italy, Poland, Austria, Ukraine, Romania, and Bulgaria. Now found in the Eastern/northeastern US, and established in Auckland, New Zealand since 1987.

Diet

Adults feed on nectar and aphid honeydew; larvae feed on caterpillars.

Life Cycle

The lifecycle includes emerging from overwintering in late spring, mating, nesting, and larvae feeding on stored caterpillars. The larva spins a cocoon before adult emergence in about two weeks.

Reproduction

Females lay eggs in cells stocked with paralyzed caterpillars which the larvae consume after hatching. The cells are sealed with a clay plug.

Ecosystem Role

Pollinator due to nectar feeding; larvae serve as predators of caterpillars.

Health Concerns

Males cannot sting, and the sting of females is not described as painful, indicating low health concerns for humans.

Misconceptions

Despite being a wasp, the sting from females is non-painful compared to other stinging species.