Spilomena troglodytes♂︎

Last update: 25 December 2024


Rare

Species Spilomena troglodytes
Genus SPILOMENA
Family PEMPHREDONIDAE



Ecological role Predator + pollinator

Voltinism Bivoltine
Activity
janfebmaraprmayjunjulaugsepoctnovdec

Observations
2021-VI-08
Months
JanFebMarAprMayJunJulAugSepOctNovDec
Years
2021

Nesting strategy Hypergeic
Nestarchitecture Broodcells
Nest diameters (mm)
123456789101112131415




Last changes:
2024/12/25: updated nest diameters and voltinism


Official name

Synonyms

Spilomena troglodytes [Soortenregister]

Spilomena vagans

see more on: www.gbif.org

Etymology

troglodytes

Greek: cave-dweller

Spilomena troglodytes ♂︎

Contents

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

1. DISTRIBUTION

Spilomena troglodytes is a rare wasp [Waarneming.nl] occurring throughout the Netherlands [Peeters et al. 2004],[Klein 1999] with an exception of the coastal provinces and the wadden islands [Peeters et al. 2004]. It is the most common representative of the genus in the Netherlands [Klein 1999].

2. BEHAVIOUR

2.1. ACTIVITY

The species is active from beginning of June to half September [Peeters et al. 2004].

Males frequently can be found swarming around bushes and trees [Peeters et al. 2004],[Lomholdt 1984].

2.2. DEVELOPMENT

Nest

Females nest in existing cavities [Peeters et al. 2004],[Bohart & Menke 1976],[Blösch 2000],[Klein 1999],[Lomholdt 1984] in old wood [Bohart & Menke 1976],[Blösch 2000],[Klein 1999],[Lomholdt 1984], twigs [Bohart & Menke 1976] and abandoned beetle boreholes [Klein 1999],[Lomholdt 1984], with a preference [Lomholdt 1984] of those made by Anobium sp. (Anobiidae) [Peeters et al. 2004],[Lomholdt 1984] (Anobium rufipes [6], Microbregma emarginatum [Vikberg 2000]). She will gnaw her own nest as well in the marrow of plant stems [Peeters et al. 2004].

Existing boreholes are cleaned before use [Peeters et al. 2004],[Lomholdt 1984]. Gnawed corridors are about 4-12cm in length [Blösch 2000]. The corridors have a diameter of 1,0-2mm [Blösch 2000],[Danks 1971],[Schneider 1991] and a length of 3,5-6 mm [Danks 1971].

The brood cells are placed sequentially in a row within the nest cavity [Peeters et al. 2004],[Blösch 2000],[Lomholdt 1984]. The brood cells are separated by a 1-2mm thick bulkhead made of wood dust [Blösch 2000] or a 0,2-7mm wedge-shaped pith plug [Danks 1971]. Every cell contains 50-60 thrips [Peeters et al. 2004],[Lomholdt 1984]. Cells for females and males are equal in size [Danks 1971].

The filled nest is closed with a wood pulp plug that is tamped using the abdomen [Peeters et al. 2004]. The outermost layer is fortified by mixing the wood pulp with saliva that hardens as it dries [Peeters et al. 2004] into a somewhat shiny disc [Lomholdt 1984].

Females find their nest using smell and as a result normally take a lot of time to find it after returning from the hunt, which is typical in the genus Spilomena [Blösch 2000],[Lomholdt 1984]. They will scout around a large surface around the assumed nest position until they smelled it out using the antennae [Blösch 2000].

Development time

The development time of the relatively large (1,25 mm), weakly saussage-like bent [Lomholdt 1984] egg is unknown. The matt white cocoons are attached to the cell wall and occupy almost the entire cell length [Danks 1971].

Gender development

The male and female brood cells are randomly placed in the nest cavity [Blösch 2000]. There are more female than male cells which results in a surplus of female over males in a ratio of 2:1 [Blösch 2000].

2.3. BEE HOTEL

The males as well as the females can be found on bee hotels. Females use them to nest.
From my own observation of a male arriving early in the evening I suspect the males to use empty boreholes as resting place, see here.

2.4. MATING

The species is bivoltine [Schneider 1991].

2.5. HUNTING

The prey is transported using the mandibles [Bohart & Menke 1976],[Lomholdt 1984].

3. PLANT RELATIONS

3.1. WOOD

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

Adoxaceae
(Muskuskruidfamilie)

Sambucus (Elder) [Danks 1971]
Betulaceae
(berkenfamilie)

Alnus (Elm) [Peeters et al. 2004]

Betula (Birch) [Peeters et al. 2004]

Carpinus (Hornbeam) [Peeters et al. 2004]
Pinaceae
(Dennenfamilie)

Picea
Picea abies (Norway spruce) [Vikberg 2000]
Rosaceae
(Rozenfamilie)

Crataegus (Hawthorn) [Peeters et al. 2004]

Rubus (Bramble) [Van Lith 1955],[Danks 1971]
Salicaceae
(Wilgenfamilie)
Salix (Willow) [Peeters et al. 2004]
Sapindaceae
(Zeepboomfamilie)

Aesculus (Horse chestnut)
Horse chestnut (Aesculus hippocastanum) [Vikberg 2000]
Table 3.1-1: wood types used as nest substrate

Fence poles [Peeters et al. 2004] or thatched roofs [Lomholdt 1984] may be used as well.

3.2. FOODPLANTS

Males feed with honeydew that is licked from leafs.
The following wood types are mentioned in literature as foodsources:


Apicaceae
(Umbellifers)
Peucedanum [Blösch 2000]

Foeniculum [Blösch 2000]

Angelica [Blösch 2000]
Angelica archangelica [Blösch 2000]
Table 3.2-1: Food plants in the Netherlands

4. PREY RELATIONS

The species uses mainly nymphs of thrips (Thysanoptera) for her brood [Peeters et al. 2004],[Bohart & Menke 1976],[Blösch 2000],[Klein 1999],[Lomholdt 1984]. Observations have been reported on the use of Psyllids (Psyllidae) nymphs [Bohart & Menke 1976] and the nymphs of Scale insects (Coccidae) and Aphids (Aphidoidea) [Bohart & Menke 1976].

The following species and group occurring in the Netherlands [Soortenregister] are mentioned in literature:

Aphidoidea (Aphids) [Bohart & Menke 1976],[Blösch 2000]
Coccidae (Scale insects) [Bohart & Menke 1976],[Blösch 2000]
Psyllidae (Psyllids) [Bohart & Menke 1976]
Thysanoptera (Thrips) [Bohart & Menke 1976]
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 species and group occurring in the Netherlands [Soortenregister] are mentioned in literature:

Hymenoptera
(Wasps)

Ichneumonidae (Ichneumon wasps)

Neorhacodes
Neorhacodes enslini [Peeters et al. 2004],[Danks 1971],[Jacobs 2007],[Lomholdt 1984]


Chalcidoidea (Chalcid wasps)

Torymidae

Torumus
Torymus armatus [Peeters et al. 2004],[Danks 1971 (als Diomorus armatus)]
Diptera
(Flies)

Chloropidae (Frit flies)

Oscinella
Oscinella nigerrima [Bohart & Menke 1976]
Table 5-1: Parasitic species in the Netherlands

Parasitic species outside the Netherlands:



Table 5-2: Parasitic species outside the Netherlands

6. IDENTIFICATION

Length males: 2 – 3 mm
Length females: 2,5 – 3 mm

Genus

The genus Spilomena can be identified using the following characters:

1.  Forewing: with two submarginal cells [Bitsch 2022],[Jacobs 2007],[Klein 1999],[Dollfuss 1991]

Spilomena troglodytes ♂︎, Spilomena: front wing with two submarginal cells

2. Forewing: submarginal cell 2 not petiolate [Jacobs 2007],[Klein 1999],[Dollfuss 1991]

Spilomena troglodytes ♂︎, Spilomena: second submarginal cel not petiolate

3. Forewing: pterostigma large and almost semicircular [Bitsch 2022],[Jacobs 2007],[Klein 1999],[Dollfuss 1991]

Spilomena troglodytes ♂︎, Spilomena: front wing with large, almost semi-circular pterostigma

4. Forewing: radial cell longer than pterostigma [Bitsch 2022],[Jacobs 2007],[Klein 1999],[Dollfuss 1991]

Spilomena troglodytes ♂︎, Spilomena: front wing; length stigma shorter than length radial cell

5. Forewing: radial cell tip sharp [Jacobs 2007],[Klein 1999],[Dollfuss 1991]

Spilomena troglodytes ♂︎, Spilomena: front wing radial cell pointed

6. Forewing: with one discoidal cell [Bitsch 2022],[Jacobs 2007],[Klein 1999],[Dollfuss 1991]

Spilomena troglodytes ♂︎, Spilomena: front wing with one discoidal cell

7. Thorax: notauli do not reach apical edge mesonotum [Bitsch 2022],[Jacobs 2007],[Klein 1999],[Dollfuss 1991]

8. Abdomen: first abdominal segment not petiolate [Bitsch 2022],[Jacobs 2007],[Klein 1999],[Dollfuss 1991]

Spilomena troglodytes ♂︎, Spilomena: first abdominal segment not petiolate

9. Abdomen: entirely black [Jacobs 2007],[Klein 1999],[Dollfuss 1991]

Spilomena troglodytes ♂︎, Spilomena: abdomen entirely black



1. Antenna with 12 segments [Bitsch 2022],[Jacobs 2007],[Klein 1999],[Dollfuss 1991]

2. Abdomen with 6 segments [Bitsch 2022],[Jacobs 2007],[Klein 1999],[Dollfuss 1991]

HEAD

1. Clypeus: evenly rounded [Bitsch 2022],[Jacobs 2007]

2. Mandible: usually light brown, seldom dark brown [Bitsch 2022],[Jacobs 2007]

3. Vertex: ratio distance between hind ocelli (OOL) : distance hind ocellus to eye edge (POL) = 1,4 – 2,0 [Jacobs 2007],[Dollfuss 1991], POL:OOL = 0,48-0,77 [Bitsch 2022]

4. Back head: less strongly developed [Bitsch 2022],[Jacobs 2007]

THORAX

1. Scutellum: frontal furrow narrow and without transverse carinae [Bitsch 2022],[Jacobs 2007],[Dollfuss 1991]

2. Mesonotum: apical edge without longitudinal grooves [Bitsch 2022],[Jacobs 2007]

3. Wing veins: brown [Bitsch 2022],[Jacobs 2007]

4. Propodeum: dorsal field propodeum not limited by carina, at least at the base with net-like wrinkles between the main sculpture [Bitsch 2022],[Jacobs 2007]

ABDOMEN

1. Tergum 6: with double longitudinal carina [Bitsch 2022],[Jacobs 2007]



specimen caught for identification on 10-vi-2021, length ±3mm

Spilomena troglodytes ♂︎
Spilomena troglodytes ♂︎
Spilomena troglodytes ♂︎
Spilomena troglodytes ♂︎
Spilomena troglodytes ♂︎, propodeum
Spilomena troglodytes ♂︎, propodeum

1. Antenna with 13 segments [Bitsch 2022],[Jacobs 2007],[Klein 1999],[Dollfuss 1991]

Spilomena troglodytes ♂︎, antenna with 13 segments

2. Abdomen with 7 segments [Bitsch 2022],[Jacobs 2007],[Klein 1999],[Dollfuss 1991]

Spilomena troglodytes ♂︎, abdomen with seven segments

3. Face and clypeus yellow, at least the front edge yellow (here face and clypeus) [Bitsch 2022],[Jacobs 2007],[Klein 1999],[Dollfuss 1991]

Spilomena troglodytes ♂︎, face (F) and clypeus (C) with yellow markings

HEAD

1. Clypeus: apical edge not or lightly indented (here lightly indented) [Bitsch 2022],[Jacobs 2007],[Dollfuss 1991]

Spilomena troglodytes ♂︎, apical edge clypeus lightly indented

2. Mandible: distally with small red-brown spot [Bitsch 2022],[Jacobs 2007],[Dollfuss 1991]

Spilomena troglodytes ♂︎, mandibel distally with narrow red brown band

3. Clypeus: entirely or almost entirely yellow [Bitsch 2022],[Jacobs 2007],[Klein 1999]

Spilomena troglodytes ♂︎, clypeus entirely or almost entirely yellow

4. Vertex: ratio distance between hind ocelli (OOL) : distance hind ocellus to inner eye edge (POL) = 1,4 – 2,0 (here ±1,4) [Jacobs 2007],[Dollfuss 1991], POL:OOL = 0,48-0,77 [Bitsch 2022]

Spilomena troglodytes ♂︎, ool = 1,4-2,0x pol

5. Antenna: antennal members clearly restricted, bead-like [Bitsch 2022],[Jacobs 2007],[Klein 1999],[Dollfuss 1991]

6. Antenna: antennal flag dark, at most more or less red-brown on the inside [Klein 1999]

Spilomena troglodytes ♂︎, antennae bead-like restricted

THORAX

1. Scutellum: frontal scutellum furrow narrow and without transverse carinae [Bitsch 2022],[Jacobs 2007],[Dollfuss 1991]

Spilomena troglodytes ♂︎, basal scutellum furrow narrow, without transverse carina

2. Propodeum: dorsal field not limited by carina [Bitsch 2022],[Jacobs 2007],[Klein 1999],[Dollfuss 1991], at least at base with fine net-like wrinkles between the main sculpture [Jacobs 2007]

Spilomena troglodytes ♂︎, dorsal field propodeum not limited by carina, at least at base with fine net-shaped wrinkles between the main sculpture

3. Middle leg: thorn tibia 2 with normal length [Bitsch 2022]

ABDOMEN

no specific characters



Literature

Bitsch 2022 Bitsch, J., 2022. Hyménoptères sphéciformes d'Europe: Systématique (3e partie) : Pemphredoninae et Philanthinae. France: Fédération française des sociétés de sciences naturelles.

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

Bohart & Menke 1976 Bohart, R.M. & Menke A.S., 1976. Sphecid wasps of the world: a generic revision. - University of California Press, 695 p.

Danks 1971 Danks, H.V., 1971. Biology of some stem‐nesting aculeate Hymenoptera. Transactions of the Royal Entomological Society of London, 122.11: 323-395.

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

Jacobs 2007 Jacobs, H.J., 2007. Die Grabwespen Deutschlands Ampulicidae. Sphecidae, Crabronidae–Bestimmungsschlüssel in Blank, SM & Taeger, A (Hrsg): Die Tierwelt Deutschlands und der angrenzenden Meeresteile nach ihren Merkmalen und nach ihrer Lebensweise, Hymenoptera III–Keltern, Goecke & Evers, 79: 1-207.

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.

Lomholdt 1984 Lomholdt, O., 1984. The Sphecidae (Hymenoptera) of Fennoscandia and Denmark. Fauna Entomologica Scandinavica, 4.1: 2.

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.

Schneider 1991 Schneider, N., 1991. Contribution à la connaissance des Arthropodes rubicoles du Grand-Duché de Luxembourg. Bull. Soc. Natur. Luxembourg, 92, 85-119.

Soortenregister Nederlands Soortenregister

Van Lith 1955 Van Lith, J. P., 1955. De Nederlandse Spilomena-soorten (Hym. Sphecidae). Entomologische Berichten, 15(24), 525-527.

Vikberg 2000 Vikberg, Vi,. 2000. A re-evaluation of five European species of Spilomena with a key to European species and relevance to the fauna of North Europe, especially Finland (Hymenoptera : Pemphredonidae). Entomologica Fennica. 11. 35-55. 10.33338/ef.84044.

Waarneming.nl Waarneming.nl

Citation

Krischan, O.R., 2025. Spilomena troglodytes. Kerfdier, www.kerfdier.nl. Accessed on [date month year].



Leave a Reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *