Pachodynerus californicus

(de Saussure, 1870)

Pachodynerus californicus is a solitary mason wasp in the Eumeninae, native to western North America. As a member of the Pachodynerus, it shares the characteristic nesting of utilizing pre-existing cavities such as abandoned mud dauber nests, wood-boring insect galleries, or human-made voids. The is closely related to P. nasidens and P. guadulpensis, with which it may form part of a mimicry complex involving similar coloration patterns. Females provision nest with paralyzed caterpillars as food for their developing larvae.

Pronunciation

How to pronounce Pachodynerus californicus: /ˌpæk.oʊˈdaɪ.nə.rəs ˌkæl.əˈfɔr.nɪ.kəs/

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Distribution

Native to western North America, with records from California and adjacent regions. The specific epithet and taxonomic history suggest primary occurrence in California, though precise range boundaries require further documentation.

Sources and further reading