Ammophila (wasp)
Common Sand Wasp ( Ammophila sabulosa )
Sand Wasp ( Ammophila ) are a genus of wasps grave ( Spheciformes ) from the family Sphecidae. The genus includes 187 species worldwide, the main distribution area are the warm regions of Asia and the Mediterranean region. In the Palearctic 70 species are represented in Europe are found 15 species. In Central Europe, six of which are native species, three of them in Germany.
Features
The large and slender grave wasps have a stem-like at the base of the abdomen, which is not unlike the similar short stalk sand wasps ( Podalonia ) one, but two abdominal segments. The stem thickens increasingly backwards. The thorax bears small, white, silvery felt patch. The males are additionally covered with short silvery on the front plate ( clypeus ). The mandibles are long and strong. You are inside occupied in females with three, in the males with a tooth. The females have to adapt to the Nistweise in the sand on the tarsi of the front legs a stiff bristle comb, can be gescharrt with the sand. However, the sand is loosened with the mandibles.
Way of life
The breeding of the sand wasps is supplied with caterpillars of butterflies or After caterpillars. The prey is paralyzed, like short stalk sand wasps by stitches, and then his stomach removed with the head forward and upward in flight. It is held with the mandibles and in addition with the front legs. Occasionally, the route is also partially covered on foot because of the weight of the prey. It also happens that the caterpillar is stored and the female orientation flights is taking to the nest. The nest is created in the sand, it is always before the hunt.
Often the imagos are parasitized by Strepsiptera Xenos sphecidarum. Full-grown sand wasps are pollinators, but also feed on honeydew from aphids.
Species ( Europe)
- Ammophila albotomentosa Morice, 1900
- Ammophila campestris Latreille, 1809
- Ammophila gracillima bag mountain, 1869
- Ammophila heydeni Dahlbom, 1845
- Ammophila hungarica Mocsary, 1883
- Ammophila laevicollis E. Andre, 1886
- Ammophila leclercqi Menke, 1964
- Ammophila modesta Mocsary, 1883
- Ammophila nasuta Lepeletier, 1845
- Ammophila occipital F. Morawitz, 1890
- Ammophila pubescens Curtis, 1836
- Ammophila sabulosa (Linnaeus, 1758)
- Ammophila sareptana carbon, 1884
- Ammophila striata Mocsary, 1878
- Ammophila terminata F. Smith, 1856