Pseudomasaris edwardsii

Cresson

Edwards' pollen wasp

Pseudomasaris edwardsii is a small pollen-provisioning in the Vespidae, Masarinae. Unlike most vespid wasps that provision nests with paralyzed insects, females collect pollen and nectar to feed their larvae. The has been documented nesting in California, with confirmed records from Pasadena and Sierra Madre. It represents one of the few known pollen-collecting wasps in North America, sharing this unusual dietary strategy with its P. vespoides.

Pseudomasaris edwardsii by (c) Kathy Lichtendahl, some rights reserved (CC BY), uploaded by Kathy Lichtendahl. Used under a CC-BY license.

Pronunciation

How to pronounce Pseudomasaris edwardsii: //ˌsjuːdoʊməˈsɛrɪs ˌɛdˈwɔːrdzi.aɪ//

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

Identification

Smaller than the related Pseudomasaris vespoides. Specific diagnostic characters not detailed in available sources. As with other Pseudomasaris , males possess long, clubbed while females have shorter, clubbed antennae.

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Habitat

Nests have been collected in urban and suburban settings at and near Pasadena and Sierra Madre, California. Specific nesting substrate preferences not documented.

Distribution

Utah, Nevada, California, and Washington according to Bradley (1922). Confirmed nest collections from Pasadena and Sierra Madre, California.

Diet

Pollen and nectar collected by females as larval provisions. likely feed on nectar.

Life Cycle

Females construct nests and provision them with pollen and nectar rather than paralyzed prey. details not documented.

Behavior

Nesting confirmed; females actively collect pollen for larval food. Male behavior not specifically documented for this , though related species exhibit and territorial perching.

Ecological Role

Pollen collector that may contribute to pollination of visited flowers. Serves as prey for unspecified .

Human Relevance

Not documented. Non-aggressive; does not pose stinging hazard comparable to social vespids.

Similar Taxa

  • Pseudomasaris vespoidesLarger with similar pollen-provisioning and overlapping distribution; distinguished by size difference
  • Pseudomasaris maculifronsAnother with pollen-collecting ; males exhibit territoriality

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Sources and further reading