Species Pelecinus polyturator - Pelecinid Wasp

American Pelecinid

May represent more than one species. A number of color variations have been described, especially in the tropics, but most sources say that the genus (and family) is represented by a single species north of Mexico, although it may eventually get split into two or more.

POLYTURATOR: perhaps from the Greek "polys" (much or many) + "oura" (a tail); alluding to the female's "many-segmented tail"?

51-62 mm (female), 12-15 or 25 mm (male)

Female is distinctive--abdomen 5X the length of the rest of the body. Abdomen has six segments. Males are smaller, and the posterior end of abdomen is swollen. They are seldom seen. Hindwings of both sexes very short, 1/3 length of forewings.

Eastern and central North America, also southwestern United States. Ranges south through Central and South America to Argentina.

Forests, esp. deciduous forests.

Typically August-September. Reported July-August (Minnesota), June-September (North Carolina).

Adults reported to take nectar.

Larvae feed on May Beetle grubs in the soil.

Parasitoids of insect larvae that feed on decomposing wood, etc. These include larvae of scarab beetles, esp. May Beetles (Phyllophaga). Also reported to parasitize wood-boring insects. Female thrusts ovipositor into soil to detect host, lays one egg on each. Pelecinid larva burrows into the beetle larva, killing it. Wasp larva scavenges remains and pupates there in soil.

In North American populations, males are rare, and reproduction is apparently largely by parthenogenesis (Brues, 1928). In tropical populations (or species), males are more abundant.