Prionyx saevus

Prionyx saevus
Scientific classification
Kingdom: Animalia
Phylum: Arthropoda
Class: Insecta
Order: Hymenoptera
Family: Sphecidae
Genus: Prionyx
Species:
P. saevus
Binomial name
Prionyx saevus
(F. Smith, 1856)
Subspecies
  • P. s. harpax
  • P. s. saevus

Prionyx saevus is a species of parasitoidal thread-waisted wasp in the family Sphecidae.[1]

Biology

Females will capture prey before paralysing it, burying it underground head first, in a nest, and then laying an egg on it. The larvae develop as parasites, killing the host.[2]

Nests of P. saevus contain multiple chambers, varying in depth of 9 to 23 cm below the surface. Nest entrances are not concealed whatsoever.[2]

References

  1. ^ "Prionyx saevus (F. Smith, 1856)". www.itis.gov.
  2. ^ a b Baker, G. L.; Piggott, R. (1983). "Parasitism of the Australian plague locust Chortoicetes terminifera (Walker) (Orthoptera: Acrididae) by Prionyx saevus (Smith) (Hymenoptera: Sphecidae)". Australian Entomological Magazine. 10 (5).
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