Euparagiinae

Pronunciation

How to pronounce Euparagiinae: /juːˌpærəˈdʒaɪɪniː/

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Summary

The Euparagiinae are a small, rare subfamily of wasps within the Vespidae family, containing a single extant genus, Euparagia, with 10 known species. They inhabit desert areas in the southwestern U.S. and Mexico, and display unique physical traits that set them apart from other wasps.

Physical Characteristics

Size ranges from 6-9 mm. Characteristic unique wing venation; single small pale spot at the posterior edge of the mesonotum. Male front leg femora and trochanters are modified in species-specific shapes.

Identification Tips

Look for the unique wing venation and the pale spot on the mesonotum. Males typically have modified leg structures identifiable to species.

Habitat

Desert regions of the Southwestern United States and northwestern Mexico.

Distribution

Primarily found in the southwestern United States and northwestern Mexico with a historical cosmopolitan distribution before becoming geographically restricted.

Diet

Females provision nests with weevil larvae.

Life Cycle

The biology of only one species (Euparagia scutellaris) is known; details on the life cycle of other species are not documented.

Reproduction

Reproductive behavior largely unknown, but nests are provisioned with larvae.

Ecosystem Role

As solitary wasps, they likely play a role in the pollination of plants and controlling insect populations as predators of weevil larvae.

Evolution

The subfamily is considered a relict taxon with origins dating back to the Early Cretaceous, previously grouped with pollen wasps and treated as part of the family Masaridae.

Tags

• Euparagiinae
• wasps
• Vespidae
• insect
• Hymenoptera