Honeydew-feeding
Guides
Brachymeria podagrica
Brachymeria podagrica is a cosmopolitan parasitoid wasp in the family Chalcididae, known from Brazil, Saudi Arabia, Colombia, and multiple other regions worldwide. The species is a solitary idiobiont parasitoid of dipteran pupae, particularly flesh flies (Sarcophagidae) and blow flies (Calliphoridae). It has been documented attacking Sarcodexia lambens, Peckia collusor, Hemilucilia flavifacies, Chrysomya albiceps, and Sarcophaga dux, among other hosts. Development from egg to adult emergence takes approximately 20–27 days under favorable conditions, with overwintering generations requiring 155–180 days. Adults are commonly observed near aphid colonies feeding on honeydew, and occasionally visit flowers such as wild carrot. The species has forensic significance due to its predictable emergence from fly pupae on decomposing corpses.
Camponotus chromaiodes
ferruginous carpenter ant, red carpenter ant
Camponotus chromaiodes, commonly known as the ferruginous or red carpenter ant, is a species of carpenter ant native to the eastern United States with records extending to Nebraska, Kansas, and possibly California. Workers of this species have been observed removing honeydew droplets from spotted lanternfly nymphs, suggesting potential for developing mutualistic relationships with honeydew-producing insects. Like other carpenter ants, it excavates galleries in wood for colony housing rather than consuming wood for nutrition.
Hoplisoides
sand wasps
Hoplisoides is a genus of solitary sand wasps in the family Crabronidae, containing at least 70 described species worldwide. These small wasps are characterized by their spotted wings and specialized predatory behavior targeting treehoppers (Membracidae). Females construct short burrows in sandy soil to provision with paralyzed prey for their larvae. The genus is distributed globally except Australia, with approximately 18 species in North America.
Hoplisoides hamatus
Hoplisoides hamatus is a sand wasp in the family Crabronidae. It is found in North America, with records from Canada including British Columbia. Like other members of the genus Hoplisoides, it is a solitary wasp that hunts treehoppers in the family Membracidae as prey for its larvae.
Hoplisoides nebulosus
sand wasp
Hoplisoides nebulosus is a solitary sand wasp in the family Crabronidae, known for hunting treehoppers (Membracidae) to provision underground nests. The species is found primarily in the eastern United States, with a subspecies H. n. spilopterus occurring in western regions including Colorado. Females construct burrows in sandy soil with distinctive spotted wings that aid in identification. The species exhibits specialized nesting behavior including head-first entry into burrows and rapid nest closure that leaves them vulnerable to parasitism.
Hoplisoides tricolor
sand wasp
Hoplisoides tricolor is a species of solitary sand wasp in the family Crabronidae, originally described by Cresson in 1868. It is one of approximately eighteen Hoplisoides species found in North America north of Mexico. Like congeners, it is a ground-nesting wasp that hunts treehoppers (Membracidae) as prey for its larvae. The species occurs across Central America and North America, with most Hoplisoides species concentrated in western North America.