Official name

Synonyms

Ectemnius continuus

Crabro continuus
Hypocrabro continuus

See also: www.gbif.org

Etymology:

continuus

Latin: uninterrupted

1. Distribution
2. Behaviour
3. Plant relations
4. Prey relations
5. Parasitic relations
6. Identification

1. DISTRIBUTION

The diggerwasp Ectemnius continuus ^{[Soortenregister]} is a common species that occurs throughout the Netherlands ^{[Waarneming.nl],[Klein 1999]}.

The E. continuus wasps occurring in the Benelux (Belgium Netherlands and Luxembourg) belong to the subspecies E. continuus punctatus ^{[Klein 1999],[Peeters et al. 2004]}.

2. BEHAVIOUR

2.1. ACTIVITY

The species is active from the beginning May until the beginning of October ^{[Waarneming.nl],[Peeters et al. 2004],[Blösch 2000]}.

2.2. DEVELOPMENT

The female nests in dead wood, like branches, stubs and collapsed tree trunks. She gnaws a tunnel with branches and in each branch one or two brood cells ^{[Klein 1999],[Peeters et al. 2004],[Blösch 2000],[Ruchin & Antropov 2019]}. Or the cells are created sequentially in a line ^{[Blösch 2000]}. The nest includes about 10 brood cells ^{[Klein 1999],[Peeters et al. 2004],[Blösch 2000]}. The main tunnel and the branches are filled with wood flour, small pieces of wood ^{[Blösch 2000]}.
Every brood cell contains 6 to 8 prey ^{[Blösch 2000]}.

Normally two generations are produced per year ^{[Blösch 2000]}.

2.3. Bee hotel

The males use bee hotels as a sleeping place ^{[Breugel 2014]}.

3. FOOD PLANTS

3.1. WOOD TYPES

The following wood types are mentioned in literature as medium for the wasp to built her nests in:

*Fagaceae*	Quercus (Oak) ^{[Woydak 1996]}
Salicaceae (Willow family)	Populus (Poplar) ^{[Woydak 1996]} – Populus nigrus ^{[Woydak 1996} ^{(as Popula nigra)]} Salix (Willow) ^{[Woydak 1996]} – Salix alba ^{[Woydak 1996]}

Table 3.1-1: wood types used as nest substrate

3.2. FOOD PLANTS

The adult wasps feed with plant nectar and/or pollen. In literature the following plants and groups are cited:

Composite family ^{[Klein 1999]} (Asteraceae)	–
Umbellifers ^{[Klein 1999],[Peeters et al. 2004],[Blösch 2000]} *(Apicaceae)*	– Wild angelica (Angelica sylvestris) ^{[Waarneming.nl]} – Parsnip (Pastinaca sativa) ^{[Waarneming.nl]} – Hogweed (Heracleum sphondylium) ^{[Waarneming.nl]}

Table 3.2-1: Food plants in the Netherlands

The garden has some umbellifers but I have not seen this species on it yet.

4. PREY RELATIONS

The species uses flies as food for her offspring ^{[Klein 1999],[Peeters et al. 2004],[Blösch 2000],[Ruchin & Antropov 2019]}.
Literature cites the following species occurring in the Netherlands:

Diptera
(Flies)

Anthomyiidae (Anthomyiid flies) ^{[Blösch 2000],[Ruchin & Antropov 2019]}
Delia
– Onion fly (Delia antiqua) ^{[Woydak 1996} ^{(as Hedemiya antiqua -> Helemiya)]}

Calliphoridae (Blow flies) ^{[Peeters et al. 2004],[Blösch 2000],[Ruchin & Antropov 2019],[Woydak 1996]}
Pollenia
– Pollenia rudis ^{[Woydak 1996]}

Muscidae (House flies) ^{[Peeters et al. 2004],[Blösch 2000],[Ruchin & Antropov 2019],[Woydak 1996]}
Hydrotaea
– Hydrotaea meteorica ^{[Woydak 1996]}

Thricops
– Thricops semicinereus ^{[Woydak 1996} ^{(als Aricia semicinerea)]}

Rhagionidae (Snipe flies) ^{[Blösch 2000],[Ruchin & Antropov 2019]}

Sciomyzidae (Marsh flies) ^{[Ruchin & Antropov 2019]}

Stratiomyiidae (Soldier flies) ^{[Ruchin & Antropov 2019]}

Syrphidae (Hover flies) ^{[Peeters et al. 2004],[Blösch 2000],[Ruchin & Antropov 2019],[Woydak 1996]}

Tabanidae (Horseflies) ^{[Peeters et al. 2004],[Ruchin & Antropov 2019],[Woydak 1996]}

Tachinidae (Tachnid flies) ^{[Blösch 2000],[Ruchin & Antropov 2019]}

Therevidae (Stilletto flies) ^{[Peeters et al. 2004],[Blösch 2000],[Ruchin & Antropov 2019],[Woydak 1996]}

Table 4-1: Prey species in the Netherlands

Preyspecies outside the Netherlands:

–

Table 4-2: Prey species outside the Netherlands

5. PARASITIC RELATIONS

The following nest parasites of E. continuus present in the Netherlands are mentioned in the literature:

*Ichneumonidae* (Ichneumon wasps)	Enclisis – Enclisis macilenta ^{[Ruchin & Antropov 2019 as Caenocryptus inflatus = Enclisis inflatus}^{^{[Fitton 1982]}}^] Hoplocryptus – Hoplocryptus confector ^{[Schwarz 2007]}
*Diptera* (Flies)	Sarcophagidae (Flesh flies) Macronychia – Macronychia polyodon ^{[Povolny 1997]}

Table 5-1: Parasitic species in the Netherlands

Parasitic species outside the Netherlands ^{[Soortenregister]}:

Ichneumonidae
(Ichneumon wasps)

Hoplocryptus
– Hoplocryptus heliophilus ^{[Schwarz 2007]}
– Hoplocryptus quadriguttatus ^{[Schwarz 2007]}

Table 5-2: Parasitic species outside the Netherlands

6. IDENTIFICATION

Length males: 8 – 12 mm
Length females: 9,5 – 14,5 mm

Genus

The genus Ectemnius can be recognized by the following characters:

1. Forewing: with one submarginal cell ^{[Peeters et al. 2004],[Dollfuss 1991]}

*Ectemnius continuus* ♂︎, *Ectemnius*: frontwing with 1 submarginal cell, specimen-1

2. Ocelli: usually shaped in a obtuse isosceles triangle ^{[Klein 1999],[Dollfuss 1991]}

*Ectemnius continuus* ♂︎, *Ectemnius*: ocelli usually shaped in obtuse isosceles triangle, specimen-1

3. Abdomen: terga smooth with fine punctation, only on tergite 1 somewhat stronger ^{[Klein 1999],[Blösch 2000],[Dollfuss 1991]}

*Ectemnius continuus* ♂︎, *Ectemnius*: tergites smooth with fine punctation, specimen-2

4. Thorax: rear side (metapleuron) (M) and often side propodeum (P), with strong transverse wrinkles^{[Klein 1999],[Blösch 2000],[Dollfuss 1991]}

*Ectemnius continuus* ♂︎, *Ectemnius*: side thorax strongly wrinkled

5. Head: in frontal view broader than high^{[Blösch 2000],[Dollfuss 1991]}

*Ectemnius continuus* ♂︎, *Ectemnius*: head frontally wider than high

6. Thorax side (mesopleuron): has a short transverse carina in front of the middle leg coxa ^{[Peeters et al. 2004],[Blösch 2000],[Dollfuss 1991]}.

–

1. Antenna with 12 segments^{[Klein 1999],[Blösch 2000],[Dollfuss 1991]}

2. Abdomen with 6 segments^{[Klein 1999],[Blösch 2000],[Dollfuss 1991]}

Antenna with 12 segments^{[Klein 1999],[Blösch 2000],[Dollfuss 1991]}

*Ectemnius continuus* ♂︎, antenna with 12 segments, specimen-1

2. Abdomen with 7 segments^{[Klein 1999],[Blösch 2000],[Dollfuss 1991]}

*Ectemnius continuus* ♂︎, abdomen with 7 segments, specimen-2

HEAD

1. Antenna: segment 3 about 2,5x longer than wide ^{[Klein 1999],[Blösch 2000],[Dollfuss 1991]}

*Ectemnius continuus* ♂︎, antennal segment 3 about 2,5x longer than wide, specimen-1

2. Antenna: segment 6 with cut out ^{[Blösch 2000]}

*Ectemnius continuus* ♂︎, antennal segment 6 cut out, specimen-1

3. Mandible: inner edge with large triangular tooth ^{[Klein 1999],[Blösch 2000],[Dollfuss 1991]}

*Ectemnius continuus* ♂︎, inneredge mandibel with large triangular tooth, specimen-1

4. Frons: smooth area above the antennal base not limited with a vertical carina ^{[Blösch 2000],[Dollfuss 1991]}

*Ectemnius continuus* ♂︎, smooth area above antennal base without transverse carina, specimen-1

THORAX

1. Mesopleuron: side thorax wrinkled ^{[Klein 1999],[Blösch 2000],[Dollfuss 1991]}

2. Mesonotum and usually tergite 1, and vertex ^{[Dollfuss 1991]} with long erect hairs ^{[Klein 1999],[Blösch 2000],[Dollfuss 1991]}

*Ectemnius continuus* ♂︎, mesonotum, tergite 1 and vertex with long erect hairs, specimen-2

3. Middle leg: first and second tarsal members thorn-like elongated ^{[Klein 1999],[Blösch 2000],[Dollfuss 1991]}

*Ectemnius continuus* ♂︎, first and second tarsal members middle leg thorn-like elongated

4. Foreleg: trochanter without tooth, keel or bump ^{[Klein 1999],[Blösch 2000],[Dollfuss 1991]}

*Ectemnius continuus* ♂︎, trochanter front leg without tooth or ridge, specimen-3

5. Mesothorax: ventral side with transverse carina at the front ^{[Dollfuss 1991]}

In species that do not bear this character the front is gradually rounded.

*Ectemnius continuus* ♂︎, mesothorax with a transversal keel at front, specimen-1

ABDOMEN

1. Tergum 3: yellow markings on absent or less developed than on tergum 4 ^{[Klein 1999],[Blösch 2000],[Dollfuss 1991]}

*Ectemnius continuus* ♂︎, yellow marking tergum 3 less developed than on tergite 4, specimen-2

*Ectemnius continuus* ♂︎, yellow markings tergum 3 absent, specimen-1

2. Tergum 1: finely punctated, the space between the points several times larger than the points ^{[Dollfuss 1991]}

Ectemnius continuus ♂︎, tergum 1 finely punctated, space between points several times larger than points, specimen-2

3. Tergum 7: without pygidium ^{[Klein 1999],[Blösch 2000]}

Literature

^{Blösch 2000}Blösch, M., 2000. Die Grabwespen Deutschlands – Lebens‐weise, Verhalten, Verbreitung. 71. Teil. In Dahl, F.: Die Tierwelt Deutschlands. Begr.: 1925. – Keltern (Goecke & Evers). – 480 S. 341 Farbfotos. ISBN 3‐931374‐26‐2 (hardcover). DM 98,–. Zool. Reihe, 78: 353-353. https://doi.org/10.1002/mmnz.20020780208

^{Breugel 2014}Breugel, P. van., 2014. Gasten van bijenhotels. – EIS Kenniscentrum Insecten en andere ongewervelden & Naturalis Biodiversity Center, Leiden.

^{Dollfuss 1991}Dollfuss, H., 1991. Bestimmungsschlüssel der Grabwespen Nord-und Zentraleuropas. Stapfia, 24, 1-247.

^{Fitton 1982}Fitton, M. G., 1982. A catalogue and reclassification of the Ichneumonidae (Hymenoptera) described by CG Thomson.

^{Klein 1999}Klein, W., 1999 De graafwespen van de Benelux: supplement. Jeugdbondsuitgeverij, 1-37. + Klein, W., 1996. De graafwespen van de Benelux. Jeugdbondsuitgeverij, 1-130.

^{Peeters et al. 2004}Peeters, T.M.J., C. van Achterberg, W.R.B. Heitmans, W.F. Klein, V. Lefeber, A.J. van Loon, A.A. Mabelis, H. Nieuwen-huijsen, M. Reemer, J. de Rond, J. Smit, H.H.W. Velthuis, 2004. De wespen en mieren van Nederland (Hymenoptera: Aculeata). – Nederlandse Fauna 6. Nationaal Natuurhistorisch Museum Naturalis, Leiden, knnv Uitgeverij, Utrecht & European Invertebrate Survey – Nederland, Leiden.

^{Povolny 1997}Povolny, D., 1997. The flesh-flies of Central Europe (Insecta, Diptera, Sarcophagidae). Spixiana Suppl., 24, 1-260.

^{Ruchin & Antropov 2019}Ruchin, A. & Antropov, A., 2019. Wasp fauna (Hymenoptera: Bethylidae, Chrysididae, Dryinidae, Tiphiidae, Mutillidae, Scoliidae, Pompilidae, Vespidae, Sphecidae, Crabronidae & Trigonalyidae) of Mordovia State Nature Reserve and its surroundings in Russia. Journal of Threatened Taxa. 11. 13195-13250. 10.11609/jott.4216.11.2.13195-13250.

^{Schwarz 2007}Schwarz, M., 2007. Revision der westpaläarktischen Arten der Gattung Hoplocryptus Thomson (Hymenoptera, Ichneumonidae). na.

^{Soortenregister}Nederlands Soortenregister

^{Waarneming.nl}Waarneming.nl

^{Woydak 1996}Woydak, H., 1996. Hymenoptera Aculeata Westfalica Familia: Sphecidae (Grabwespen), 3-135.

Citation

Krischan, O.R., 2025. Ectemnius continuus. Kerfdier, www.kerfdier.nl. Accessed on 18 May 2025.

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Ectemnius continuus♂︎

CONTENTS

1. Distribution
2. Behaviour
3. Plant relations
4. Prey relations
5. Parasitic relations
6. Identification

1. DISTRIBUTION

2. BEHAVIOUR

2.1. ACTIVITY

2.2. DEVELOPMENT

2.3. Bee hotel

3. FOOD PLANTS

3.1. WOOD TYPES

3.2. FOOD PLANTS

4. PREY RELATIONS

5. PARASITIC RELATIONS

6. IDENTIFICATION

HEAD

THORAX

ABDOMEN

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Gerelateerde artikelen

CONTENTS

1. Distribution2. Behaviour3. Plant relations4. Prey relations5. Parasitic relations6. Identification

1. DISTRIBUTION

2. BEHAVIOUR

2.1. ACTIVITY

2.2. DEVELOPMENT

2.3. Bee hotel

3. FOOD PLANTS

3.1. WOOD TYPES

3.2. FOOD PLANTS

4. PREY RELATIONS

5. PARASITIC RELATIONS

6. IDENTIFICATION

HEAD

THORAX

ABDOMEN

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Gerelateerde artikelen

1. Distribution
2. Behaviour
3. Plant relations
4. Prey relations
5. Parasitic relations
6. Identification