Nesting of the Wasp Gymnomerus laevipes (Hymenoptera, Vespidae) in the Crimea

Publication Type:Journal Article
:2012
Authors:A. V. Fateryga
Journal:Vestnik Zoologii
Volume:46
Pagination:229-238, 287
Date Published:Mai-Iyun
:0084-5604
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Nesting of the Wasp Gymnomerus laevipes (Hymenoptera, Vespidae) in the Crimea. Fateryga A. V. - The nests of Gymnomerus laevipes (Shuckard, 1837) disposed in the hollow stems of reed and bramble were studied. The nests contain from 2 to 14 cells (7 in average) sex ratio is female-biased (1.9 [female] to 1 [male]). The data on dimensional parameters of nest cavities, measurements of cells, mass of cells and prepupae were given; nest statistical model was constructed. The cells of G. laevipes nests a considered to belong to the type of full-component heteromorphic cells; their lengths are found to be inversely proportional to the diameter of the nest hollow. Female of G. laevipes attach its egg on the lateral wall of the cell near its bottom. Alfalfa weevil (phytonomus variabilis) larvae were collected by females as the victuals. G. laevipes is monovoltine species; prepupae hibernate in dense one-layer cocoon. Adults leave the nest cells in sequence, reverse to sequence of cells laying. Nests were damaged by a parasitoid Hoplocryptus melanocephalus (Hymenoptera, Ichneumonidae), predator Trichodes apiarius (Coleoptera, Cleridae) and inquilines Chrysis rutilans (Hymenoptera, Chrysididae) and Amobia signata (Diptera, Sarcophagidae).

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