Delta esuriens

(Fabricius, 1787)

Okinawa Mud Wasp

Delta esuriens is a potter wasp distributed across tropical Asia. Females construct mud nests with pot-shaped entrance holes, provisioning with lepidopteran caterpillars as food for developing larvae. The species is distinguished from the similar Delta pyriforme by a yellow band on the metasomal petiole. Development from to spans approximately one month, with males emerging earlier than females due to shorter development times.

Delta esuriens by no rights reserved, uploaded by Steve Wells. Used under a CC0 license.

Delta esuriens esuriens by the Smithsonian. Used under a CC0 license.

Delta esuriens gracile by the Smithsonian. Used under a CC0 license.

Pronunciation

How to pronounce Delta esuriens: //ˈdɛltə ˈɛsjʊɹiːɛnz//

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

Identification

Distinguished from Delta pyriforme by the presence of a yellow band on the metasomal petiole segment.

Images

Distribution

Tropical Asia; documented from India with expanded distributional records in Indian states.

Diet

Lepidopteran caterpillars provisioned in nest .

Life Cycle

Females lay suspended from walls by silk. Eggs hatch in approximately two days. Larvae feed for one week on provisioned caterpillars. requires about two weeks. emerge from cells in approximately one month. Male offspring have shorter development times and emerge earlier than females.

Behavior

Females build mud nests containing 1-8 arranged adjacently in 1 or 2 rows. Entrance holes are pot-shaped. Cells are provisioned with caterpillars before laying, after which the entrance is sealed.

Similar Taxa

Delta pyriformeSimilar appearance; distinguished by absence of yellow band on metasomal petiole

More Details

Nest parasitism and predation

Larvae are parasitized by Chrysididae and Bombyliidae, and preyed upon by Sarcophagidae and ants.