Prey-specialization
Guides
Agrilus obsoletoguttatus
Beech Borer
Agrilus obsoletoguttatus is a small metallic wood-boring beetle in the family Buprestidae, native to North America. It is among the smallest jewel beetle species utilized as prey by the specialist predatory wasp Cerceris fumipennis, which provisions its underground nests with paralyzed buprestid beetles. The species has been documented in nest caches containing up to 13 individuals, reflecting its small size relative to larger buprestid prey.
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ant-queen kidnapper
Aphilanthops is a genus of solitary digger wasps endemic to North America, commonly known as "ant-queen kidnappers." The four described species are specialized predators of winged ant queens, particularly in the genus Formica. Adult females hunt during ant nuptial flights, paralyze ant queens, and transport them to underground nest burrows where they serve as provisions for developing larvae. The genus is distinguished from similar beewolf wasps (Philanthus) by straight rather than notched inner eye margins.
Cerceris verticalis
Cerceris verticalis is a solitary predatory wasp in the family Crabronidae. Like other members of the genus Cerceris, it constructs underground nests and provisions them with paralyzed insect prey for its larvae. The species was described by Frederick Smith in 1856 and occurs in North America and Middle America. As a member of the diverse genus Cerceris, it likely specializes on a particular prey group, though specific prey associations remain undocumented in the available sources.
Loricera
Loricera is a genus of ground beetles (Carabidae) comprising approximately 17 described species. It is the sole genus of the subfamily Loricerinae. Members of this genus are distinguished by a remarkable morphological specialization: modified antennal setae that form a prey-capture apparatus for hunting Collembola (springtails). The genus has a Holarctic distribution, occurring in both the Palearctic and Nearctic regions.
Philanthinae
beewolves, weevil wasps, ant-queen kidnappers
Philanthinae is a large subfamily of solitary predatory wasps within Crabronidae, containing approximately 1100 species across 9 genera, with Cerceris being the most diverse. Members are commonly known as beewolves, weevil wasps, and ant-queen kidnappers, reflecting their specialized prey preferences. Adult females excavate underground burrows for nesting and provision cells with paralyzed prey for their larvae. The subfamily exhibits remarkable behavioral complexity for solitary wasps, including prey embalming, landmark-based navigation, territoriality, and scent-marking. Three tribes are recognized: Philanthini (beewolves), Cercerini (weevil wasps), and Aphilanthopsini (ant-queen kidnappers), each with distinct morphological and ecological specializations.