Synoeca is a genus of eusocial paper wasps found in the Americas. Commonly known as warrior wasps or drumming wasps, these insects are known for aggressive behavior, a threat display consisting of multiple insects guarding a nest beating their wings[1] in a synchronized fashion, and an extremely painful sting. Synoeca is one of only three insect types (the others being the bullet ant and the tarantula hawk) to receive a rating of 4 or higher on insect sting pain indices such as the Schmidt sting pain index.[2]
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| S. septenrionalis nest | |
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| Genus: | Synoeca de Saussure, 1852
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| Species | |
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5 described species | |
Distribution and habitat
The genus has a wide range within the Americas, with specimens being found in the tropical and subtropical portions thereof. S. septentrionalis is generally found in the northern part of the range, having been observed as far north as Mexico, throughout Central America and northern South America; the southern part of its range extends into Brazil. The other species in the genus are predominantly found in South America, as far south as Argentina.[3] Synoeca thrives in tropical rainforests, building arboreal nests in trees, typically on the underside of major branches. A single comb is built directly on the tree trunk; and the nests have a characteristic shape which resembles an armadillo, leading to common vernacular names such as marimbondo-tatu or armadillo wasp.[4]
Species
- Synoeca cyanea Fabricius, 1775
- Synoeca chalybea de Saussure, 1852
- Synoeca septentrionalis Richards 1978
- Synoeca surinama Linnaeus 1767
- Synoeca virginea Fabricius, 1804
References
- ^ Hogue, Charles Leonard. Latin American Insects and Entomology. University of California Press, 1993. ISBN 520078497
- ^ Schmidt, J. O., Blum, M. S., and Overal, W. L. "Hemolytic activities of stinging insect venoms", Archives of Insect Biochemistry and Physiology, 1:155–160, 1983.
- ^ Andena, Sergio R.; Carpenter, James M.; Noll, Fernando B. "A phylogenetic analysis of Synoeca De Saussure, 1852, a neotropical genus of social wasps (hymenoptera: vespidae: epiponini)". Entomologica Americana Jan 1 2009
- ^ Rodolpho S. T. Menezes, Sergio R. Andena, Antonio F. Carvalho, and Marco A. Costa "First records of Synoeca septentrionalis Richards, 1978 (Hymenoptera, Vespidae, Epiponini) in the Brazilian Atlantic Rain Forest". ZooKeys, Dec 3. 2001
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