Symmorphus

{{Short description|Genus of wasps}}

{{Use dmy dates|date=November 2016}}

{{Automatic taxobox

| image = Eumeninae - Symmorphus gracilis.JPG

| image_caption = Symmorphus gracilis

| taxon = Symmorphus

| authority = Wesmael, 1836{{cite journal | author = James Michael Carpenter | year = 1986 | title = A Synonymic Generic Checklist of the Eumeninae (Hymenoptera: Vespidae) | doi = 10.1155/1986/12489 | journal = Psyche: A Journal of Entomology | volume = 93 | issue = 1–2 | pages = 61–90| doi-access = free }}

| type_species = Symmorphus gracilis

| type_species_authority = (Brullé 1832) originally Odynerus elegans Westmael, 1833{{cite web | url = http://www.faunaeur.org/full_results.php?id=167195 | title = Symmorphus (Symmorphus) gracilis (Brullé 1832) | accessdate = 30 April 2017 | publisher = Fauna Europaea}}{{dead link|date=January 2023|bot=medic}}{{cbignore|bot=medic}}

| subdivision_ranks = Species

| subdivision = See text

}}

Symmorphus is a primarily holarctic genus of potter wasps.[https://www.biolib.cz/en/taxon/id69817/ Biolib] It is within the family Vespidae.

Species

Distribution

Many species within this genus are present in most of Europe, in East Palearctic realm, in the Near East and in the Oriental realm.[https://web.archive.org/web/20160305215229/http://www.faunaeur.org/full_results.php?id=167171 Fauna europaea] Three species are found in North America.

Description

These small solitary wasp can reach a length of about {{convert|2|cm}}. They nest in pre-existing cavities (twigs, stems, galls, old nests of other Hymenoptera, hollows in the wood). Partitions between cells are made of mud. Adult females prey on caterpillars and larvae of beetles to lay eggs in them.[http://www.discoverlife.org/proceedings/0000/6/html/Eumenidae Discover life]

Bibliography

  • Carpenter, J. M. 1986. A synonymic generic checklist of the Eumeninae (Hymenoptera: Vespidae). Psyche, 93: 61–90.

References

{{Cite journal| volume = 148| pages = 1–168| last = Cumming| first = J. M.| title = Classification and evolution of the Eumenine wasp genus Symmorphus Wesmael (Hymenoptera: Vespidae)| journal = Memoirs of the Entomological Society of Canada| date = 1989}}

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