Kairomone-attraction
Guides
Astata occidentalis
Astata occidentalis is a predatory wasp in the family Crabronidae, first described by Cresson in 1881. The species occurs in Central America and North America. Like other members of the genus Astata, it hunts stink bugs (family Pentatomidae) to provision nests for its offspring. Research indicates that female wasps are attracted to kairomones produced by stink bugs, including pheromones of Thyanta pallidovirens, suggesting a specialized predator-prey relationship.