Eragenia
Genus of spider wasps
From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
Eragenia is a genus of mud-nesting spider wasps in the family Pompilidae, formerly included in the genus Priocnemella. The genus has some 16 described species, found in the found in the Neotropical and Nearctic realms.[1] There is only one species in North America, Eragenia tabascoensis, restricted to southern Texas.[2]
| Eragenia | |
|---|---|
Scientific classification  | |
| Kingdom: | Animalia |
| Phylum: | Arthropoda |
| Class: | Insecta |
| Order: | Hymenoptera |
| Family: | Pompilidae |
| Tribe: | Ageniellini |
| Genus: | Eragenia Banks, 1946 |
Description
Wasps of the genus Eragenia are small, thin, and wiry. These wasps look almost identical to those of the genus Ageniella, though they are separated by two things: Eragenia has a "trough-like impression on the lateroapical margin of the clypeus", and a "curved, spine-like bristle on the apex of the anterior tibia". Eragenia tabascoensis is tawny (red, can be yellow) in color, with yellow wings. The wings are banded in black.[2]
Habitat
This genus lives in open areas, and at the edges of forests. It can live in forests as well, hunting in sunny patches. Adults are not found at flowers.[2]
Nests
Eragenia congrua, found in Brazil, uses Corrinid spiders to provision the nests, which are bored in soft wood.[2]
