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HYMENOPTERA, Sphecidae
(Cercerinae) (Sphecoidea) -- <Images> & <Juveniles> Description
Williams (1919b) observed that Cerceris angularis
Ckll. in the Philippines stores its nests principally with long-horned
beetles, while C. spiniger Roh. shows a preference for
Chrysomelidae. In both species, the
contents of the cells sometimes comprise representatives of both
families. The egg is attached
longitudinally to one beetle's venter.
The prey of Cerceris is
usually stung in the cervix and while being carried to the nest is grasped by
the neck or thorax with only the mandibles.
P. Marchal (Clausen 1940/1962) noted the extensive malaxation of the
throat of bees of the genus Halictus
by C. rybiensis L. (= ornata
Marchal) and the extensive feeding that took place on fluids exuding from the
puncture Thie group may be the largest subfamily of Philanthidae
in the Apoidea (Finnamore & Michener 1993) There were more than 903
species known by 2000. The genus Cerceris has over 802 species and is
cosmopolitan. The prey is usually
adult Coleoptera, although some Hymenoptera are also known. About 100 species occur in North America. Peckham & Peckham (1989) reported on C. clypeata
Dahlb., which feeds on Balaninus. The sting kills the weevils before being
stored. C. deserta Say utilizes
Conotrachelus posticatus Boh., inserting a large number in each cell. The beetles are either dead at the time of
storing or die soon after parasitism. References: Please refer to <biology.ref.htm>, [Additional references
may be found at: MELVYL
Library] Williams, F. X. 1919b. Philippine wasp
studies. Hawaii. Sugar Planters'
Assoc. Expt. Sta., Ent. Ser. Bul. 14.
186 p. |