Leucospidae
Encyclopedia
The Leucospidae are a small, specialized group within the Chalcidoidea, composed exclusively of ectoparasitoids of aculeate wasps
or bee
s. They are typically mimics of bees or stinging wasps, often black with yellow, red, or white markings, sometimes metallic, with a robust mesosoma
and very strong sculpturing. The hind femora
are often greatly enlarged, with a row of teeth or serrations along the lower margin as in Chalcididae
. The female ovipositor
is sometimes short, but if not, it is recurved and lies along the dorsal side of the metasoma
, a unique feature. The males are also unusual, in the fusion of many of the metasomal segments to form a capsule-like "carapace
".
Leucospids are generally rarely encountered except in areas where their hosts are abundant; in the United States
, the most common species is Leucospis affinis, which attacks nests of leafcutter bees.
Aculeata
The name Aculeata is used to refer to a monophyletic lineage of Hymenoptera. The word "Aculeata" is a reference to the defining feature of the group, which is the modification of the ovipositor into a stinger . In other words, the structure that was originally used to lay eggs is modified instead...
or bee
Bee
Bees are flying insects closely related to wasps and ants, and are known for their role in pollination and for producing honey and beeswax. Bees are a monophyletic lineage within the superfamily Apoidea, presently classified by the unranked taxon name Anthophila...
s. They are typically mimics of bees or stinging wasps, often black with yellow, red, or white markings, sometimes metallic, with a robust mesosoma
Mesosoma
The mesosoma is the middle part of the body, or tagma, of arthropods whose body is composed of three parts, the other two being the prosoma and the metasoma. It bears the legs, and, in the case of winged insects, the wings....
and very strong sculpturing. The hind femora
Arthropod leg
The arthropod leg is a form of jointed appendage of arthropods, usually used for walking. Many of the terms used for arthropod leg segments are of Latin origin, and may be confused with terms for bones: coxa , trochanter , femur, tibia, tarsus, ischium, metatarsus, carpus, dactylus ,...
are often greatly enlarged, with a row of teeth or serrations along the lower margin as in Chalcididae
Chalcididae
The Chalcididae are a moderate-sized family within the Chalcidoidea, composed mostly of parasitoids and a few hyperparasitoids. The family is apparently polyphyletic, though the different subfamilies may each be monophyletic, and some may be elevated to family status in the near future. As...
. The female ovipositor
Ovipositor
The ovipositor is an organ used by some animals for oviposition, i.e., the laying of eggs. It consists of a maximum of three pairs of appendages formed to transmit the egg, to prepare a place for it, and to place it properly...
is sometimes short, but if not, it is recurved and lies along the dorsal side of the metasoma
Metasoma
The metasoma is the posterior part of the body, or tagma, of arthropods whose body is composed of three parts, the other two being the prosoma and the mesosoma. In insects, it contains most of the digestive tract, respiratory system, and circulatory system, and the apical segments are typically...
, a unique feature. The males are also unusual, in the fusion of many of the metasomal segments to form a capsule-like "carapace
Carapace
A carapace is a dorsal section of the exoskeleton or shell in a number of animal groups, including arthropods such as crustaceans and arachnids, as well as vertebrates such as turtles and tortoises. In turtles and tortoises, the underside is called the plastron.-Crustaceans:In crustaceans, the...
".
Leucospids are generally rarely encountered except in areas where their hosts are abundant; in the United States
United States
The United States of America is a federal constitutional republic comprising fifty states and a federal district...
, the most common species is Leucospis affinis, which attacks nests of leafcutter bees.