Rank Subfamily | Scientific name Pemphredoninae Order Hymenopterans | |
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Similar Crabronidae, Hymenopterans, Pemphredon, Insect, Passaloecus | ||
Tiny black aphid wasp pemphredoninae very cute
The subfamilly Pemphredoninae also known as the aphid wasps, is a large group in the wasp family Crabronidae. Historically, this subfamily has frequently been accorded family status. The subfamily consists of solitary, predatory wasps, each genus having its own distinct and consistent prey preferences. The adult females dig tunnels in the ground, or plant material, for nesting.
Contents
As with all other sphecoid wasps, the larvae are carnivorous; females hunt for prey on which to lay their eggs, mass provisioning the nest cells with paralyzed, living prey that the larvae feed upon after hatching from the egg.
Subdivisions
The Pemphredoninae are currently divided into four tribes: Entomosericini, Odontosphecini, Psenini, and Pemphredonini; the last of which has by far the largest number of species. The primary distinction between the Psenini and the Pemphredonini, is that the Psenini have a forewing with three submarginal cells, and the Pemphredonini never have more than two submarginal cells on their forewing.
Fossils
Two fossilized wasps from the Weald Clay, Archisphex and Angarosphex are considered to possibly be in the Pemphredoninae.
