Abstract
Exploitation of the hunting behavior of the solitary wasp Cerceris fumipennis is proving to be a useful method for detecting pest Buprestidae as well as for documenting buprestid diversity in eastern North America. Here we review prey carriage mechanisms in the species, and conclude that variation in prey carriage is correlated with the spectacular size range of their buprestid prey (4.9–22.3 mm length). Small prey items, including Agrilus species, are transported with the aid of a specialized morphological structure on the fifth metasomal sternite (“buprestid clamp”), resulting in a distinct curved posture during flight. Analysis of prey items from C. fumipennis in North Carolina in 2014 indicates that 30% of collected Agrilus spp. were not paralyzed prior to wasp arrival at the nest, and suggests that the buprestid clamp may function to prevent the escape of active small prey. Recognition that the curved flight posture of a female approaching her nest is a signal that she may be carrying a beetle in the genus Agrilus can improve efficiency of biosurveillance for pest Buprestidae.
Highlights
The solitary, ground-dwelling wasp Cerceris fumipennis Say currently is being employed as a tool for biosurveillance of pest Buprestidae in eastern North America as well as for the documentation of regional buprestid diversity
Eight of the non-paralyzed beetles were in the genus Agrilus: A. bilineatus (Weber), A. difficilis Gory, A. ruficollis (F.), and Agrilus species Length Paralysis?
We suggest that the buprestid clamp in C. fumipennis functions primarily to prevent the elytra from opening in small prey that may or may not be successfully paralyzed
Summary
The solitary, ground-dwelling wasp Cerceris fumipennis Say currently is being employed as a tool for biosurveillance of pest Buprestidae in eastern North America as well as for the documentation of regional buprestid diversity (reviewed by Swink et al 2013, Careless et al 2014). There is general agreement that the beetle is carried in the wasps’ mandibles with its head forward and venter facing up, where the beetle is grasped, and the involvement of the wasp legs in supporting the prey varies. Mueller et al (1992) indicate that C. fumipennis appears to use just legs to hold larger buprestids while in flight, but Careless (2009) reports that an antenna of large beetle prey is grasped in the mandibles, with the wasp fore- and mid-legs embracing the body. In video footage of a wasp hovering near her nest entrance with a large prey item (Walton 2011), it is fairly clear that all three sets of legs embrace the prey, but involvement of the mandibles is not visible
Sign-in/Register to view highlights & summary Sign-in/Register to access full text options 
Talk to us
Join us for a 30 min session where you can share your feedback and ask us any queries you have
Schedule a callDisclaimer: All third-party content on this website/platform is and will remain the property of their respective owners and is provided on "as is" basis without any warranties, express or implied. Use of third-party content does not indicate any affiliation, sponsorship with or endorsement by them. Any references to third-party content is to identify the corresponding services and shall be considered fair use under The CopyrightLaw.
