Larra anathema
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Larra anathema |
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| ( Rossi , 1790) |
Larra anathema is a grave wasp from the family of Crabronidae and the only occurring in Europe species of the genus Larra .
features
The wasp reaches a body length of 16 to 24 millimeters (females) or 12 to 17 millimeters (males). The first and second tergite on the abdomen ( gaster ) are red-brown, the body is otherwise black. The wings are strongly tinted black.
Occurrence
The species is widespread in North Africa , Southern Europe , Southern Central Europe and Turkey and has also been recorded in Hawaii , where it was introduced or imported for biological pest control . It colonizes dry habitats that are very temperature-favored. In Germany, for example, it was observed in the Kaiserstuhl and in Brandenburg . The last record in Germany dates back to 1977. The flight time of the animals is unknown, the species is very rare.
Way of life
Larra anathema has an unusual, probably original, way of life. The females hunt European mole crickets ( Gryllotalpa gryllotalpa ) in their burrows and drive them into daylight, where they are briefly anesthetized with a sting. An egg is then laid on them. The crickets eventually retreat to their burrow where the wasp larvae develop. Larra anathema produces many very small eggs , similar to parasitoid species. The females spend the night in burrows.
Systematics
Larra anathema is the type species of the genus Larra , it was originally described as Sphex anathema by Pietro Rossi in 1790. Larra anathema belongs to the tribe Larrini within the subfamily Crabroninae .
literature
- Rolf Witt: Wasps. Observe, determine. Naturbuch-Verlag, Augsburg 1998, ISBN 3-89440-243-1 .
