Superfamily Apoidea | Rank Species | |
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Similar Ampulex, Hypsugo dolichodon, Gracixalus lumarius, Emerald cockroach wasp, Maratus pardus | ||
Ampulex dementor is a species of cockroach wasp native to Thailand, described in 2014 by Michael Ohl of the Museum für Naturkunde in Berlin, Germany. The species name was selected by visitors to the museum, in efforts to connect members of the public to issues of taxonomy and the description of biodiversity.
Contents
Description
Ampulex dementor is colored in red and black. Its mandibles, (most of) clypeus, prothorax, mesothorax, posterolateral areas are all light red, while its abdomen and much of its head is black. Its wings are slightly yellow. It has long and slender legs, and a tubular petiole, as long as the tergum. Female length varies between 9.6 and 10.9 mm; the male length is unknown.
Behavior
The wasp has an unusual behavior towards cockroaches: As it stings its prey, it releases a toxin into the victim's neural nodes. This toxin blocks the cockroach's octopamine receptors, leaving the cockroach alive but unable to direct its movements. Its muscle functions still active, the cockroach then "runs into" the wasp's nest, allowing for its easier capture by the wasp.
Etymology
At the time of the wasp's description, visitors to the Museum für Naturkunde (in which the species was described) were asked through pamphlet distribution to choose between four names, of which the third was chosen:
