Ampulex
Jewel wasp ( Ampulex compressa )
Ampulex is a genus of wasps grave ( Spheciformes ) from the family Ampulicidae. It is distributed worldwide, and in their distribution area is located in the tropics. There are 118 known species, two of which occur in Europe, one in Central Europe.
Features
The prothorax of the animals is significantly stretched neck -like, the forewings have only two Cubitalzellen and a Frontallobus surmounted each sensor the roots. The last segments of the Gasters the females are narrowed laterally. The females also have a projection at the base of the mandibles. If the mandibles clamped to the pronotum a cockroach stuck this projection the slim margin of pronotum in addition between the Mandibelbasis and the clypeus of females, which is pulled nose-shaped.
Way of life
The females of Ampulex feed their brood with cockroaches. Some species hunt their prey even in houses, so about Ampulex compressa was introduced to Hawaii to control pests. Is the loot packed, they will be numbed with stitches in the joint linings of the hips ( coxae ) and in the neck.
Taxonomy ( Europe)
- Ampulex fasciata Jurine, 1807
- Ampulex ruficollis Cameron, 1888