Parancistrocerus

Classification

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

Pronunciation

How to pronounce Parancistrocerus: /ˌpærənˌkaɪstrəˈsɛrəs/

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

Images

Vespid Wasp - Parancistrocerus perennis, Occoquan Regional Park, Lorton, Virginia, May 9, 2017 (53424683462) by Judy Gallagher. Used under a CC BY 2.0 license.

Parancistrocerus perennis (50549692948) by Christina Butler from Georgia, United States. Used under a CC BY 2.0 license.

Parancistrocerus perennis mating by Beatriz Moisset. Used under a CC BY-SA 4.0 license.

Potter Wasp - Parancistrocerus perennis, Occoquan Bay National Wildlife Refuge, Woodbridge, Virginia, May 9, 2017 (53041998784) by Judy Gallagher. Used under a CC BY 2.0 license.

Parancistrocerus perennis - 48932748588 by cricketsblog. Used under a CC BY 2.0 license.

Potter wasp (Vespidae, Parancistrocerus pedestris) (31066493156) 1 by Insects Unlocked
. Used under a CC0 license.

Summary

Parancistrocerus is a large genus of potter wasps with about 26 species in the nearctic region, notable for their unique nesting habits and symbiotic relationships with mites. They are primarily found in the New World and the Oriental Region.

Physical Characteristics

Most species bear a transverse carina on the first metasomal tergum; many neotropical species exhibit a faint submetallic luster.

Identification Tips

Look for a smooth depression acting as an acarinarium at the base of the second metasomal tergum, which is hidden under the first metasomal tergum.

Habitat

Nests are often built in abandoned borings of other insects in twigs, stems or wood, in artificial borings in wood, abandoned mud-dauber nests, insect galls, and abandoned borings of ground-nesting wasps or bees in the ground. One species constructs multicellular mud nests attached to branches or twigs.

Distribution

Recorded species are found in the Nearctic, eastern Palearctic, Oriental and Neotropical regions.

Diet

Parancistrocerus species are known to prey primarily on larvae of Lepidoptera.

Life Cycle

Has a complex symbiotic relationship with saproglyphid mites, with species-specific associations.

Ecosystem Role

Each wasp species has developed an acarinarium that serves as shelter for symbiotic deutonymphs of mites.

Evolution

The genus is closely related to Stenodynerus; differentiation between species of both genera can be challenging.

Similar Taxa

Stenodynerus

Misconceptions

Some might confuse Parancistrocerus with similar genera due to overlapping characteristics.