Trypoxylon attenuatum♀︎♂︎

Last update: 17 January 2025


Uncommon

Species Trypoxylon attenuatum
Genus TRYPOXYLON
Family CRABRONIDAE



Ecological role Predator + pollinator

Voltinism Univoltine
Activity
janfebmaraprmayjunjulaugsepoctnovdec

Observations
2024-VI-032024-VI-022023-VI-232021-VII-08
Months
JanFebMarAprMayJunJulAugSepOctNovDec
Years
202120232024

Nesting strategy Hypergeic
Nestarchitecture Broodcells
Nest diameters (mm)
122.53456789101112131415




Last changes:
2025/01/17: added parasitic relations following Marechal 1936


Official name:

Synonyms:

Trypoxylon attenuatum [Soortenregister]


see more on: www.gbif.org

Etymology:

attenuatum

Trypoxylon attenuatum ♀︎, imago
Trypoxylon attenuatum ♂︎

CONTENTS

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

 

1. DISTRIBUTION

Trypoxylon attenuatum is an uncommon wasp [Waarneming.nl] that occurs throughout the Netherlands with a peak in the southern province Zuid-Limburg [Peeters et al. 2004].

2. BEHAVIOUR

2.1. ACTIVITY

The species is active from beginning of April until half October [Peeters et al. 2004].

Two generations per year are possible [Blösch 2000],[Abraham 1982],[Danks 1971].

The daily activities start at 9 in the morning [Abraham 1982] with an activity peak in the afternoon [Abraham 1982]. The species is active in temperature of +20° or higher [Abraham 1982].

2.2. DEVELOPMENT

Nest

The females of this hypergeic species gnaw their nests in the pith of natural tube-like structures like plant stems and reed roofs, and Lipara (DIPTERA) galls in reed [Blösch 2000].

The nests consist of corridors with a length of 6 to 12 cm [Peeters et al. 2004] in which a sequential row of three [Woydak 1996] to seven brood cells [Peeters et al. 2004],[Blösch 2000] are constructed. The brood cells for males measure ±7,2mm in length. Their length and diameter are smaller than those for females which measure 8,5mm [Blösch 2000],[Danks 1971] in length. The nest tunnel diameter varies between 2-5 mm [6,[Tormos et al. 2005].

Cells are provisioned with 6-31 prey specimen [Peeters et al. 2004],[Asís et al. 1994],[Woydak 1996] with a maximum arond 30 [Peeters et al. 2004],[Asís et al. 1994].

Brood cells are separated with a 0,2mm thin wall of mud [Danks 1971]. The walls become thicker towards the nest entrance [Danks 1971].

The nest often includes a vestibular cel [Breugel 2014],[Abraham 1982],[Danks 1971],[Asís et al. 2007], with or without some prey specimen [Danks 1971], which can be short [Breugel 2014],[Asís et al. 2007] long [Asís et al. 2007] or missing altogether [Breugel 2014],[Danks 1971],[Asís et al. 2007]. Intercalary cells and double nest plugs are rarely present [Asís et al. 1994].

Egg

Trypoxylon eggs are saussage shaped [Danks 1971]. The egg is positioned on one of the last provisioned spiders before closing the cells [Danks 1971].

Larva

The yellowish larva spins a light brown cocoon that is suspended in threads closely behind the frontal cell wall, in the middle, or at the bottom of the cell [Blösch 2000],[Danks 1971]. A detailed description of the larva can be found in Asís [Asís et al. 1994].

Depending on the environment temperature the adult wasp will emerge over a week [Danks 1971]. The species knows potandry and often there will be more males than females [Blösch 2000],[Abraham 1982].

2.3. BEE HOTEL

The species will use bee hotels and artificial nesting structures [Breugel 2014],[Blösch 2000],[Danks 1971].

They nest in drill holes of 2,5 – 4 mm [Blösch 2000],Danks 1971].

3. PLANT RELATIONS

3.1. WOOD TYPES

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

Adoxaceae
(Moschatel family))

Sambucus (Elder) [Peeters et al. 2004],[Blösch 2000]
Asteraceae
(Composite family)

Cirsium (Plume thistles) [Danks 1971]
Onagraceae
(Willowherb family)

Chamaenerion [Danks 1971]
Poaceae
(Grasses)

Phragmites [Woydak 1996]
Phragmites australis (Common reed) [Peeters et al. 2004],[Blösch 2000],[Asís et al. 1994],[Asís et al. 2007],[Tormos et al. 2005]
Rosaceae
(Rozenfamilie)

Rosa (Roos) [Peeters et al. 2004]

Rubus (Braam) [Peeters et al. 2004],[Blösch 2000],[Asís et al. 1994],[Woydak 1996],[Danks 1971]
Scrophulariaceae
(Helmkruidfamilie)

Toorts (Verbascum) [Peeters et al. 2004]

Simaroubaceae

Ailanthus
Ailanthus altissima (Tree of Heaven) [Asís et al. 1994],[Tormos et al. 2005]
Table 3.1-1: wood types used as nest substrate

3.2. FOOD PLANTS

The following plant species are mentioned in literature as food sources:

Apiaceae
(Umbellifers)

Aegopodium [Blösch 2000],[Woydak 1996]

Angelica [Blösch 2000],[Woydak 1996]

Heracleum (Hogweed) [Woydak 1996]

Pastinaca
Pastinaca sativa (Parsnip) [Blösch 2000]
Table 3.2-1: Food plants in the Netherlands

The wasps feed on honeydew as well [Blösch 2000].

4. PREY RELATIONS

The species uses adult [Asís et al. 1994],[Danks 1971] and immature [Asís et al. 1994],[Danks 1971] spiders (Araneae) [Peeters et al. 2004],[Blösch 2000] for her brood. The prey spectrum consists for a large part of web building spiders [Danks 1971].

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


Araneidae
(Orb-weaver spiders)
preference group [Asís et al. 1994]

Araneus
Araneus sturmi [Asis et al 1994]

Araniella
Araniella cucurbitina (Cucumber green orb spider) [Asi1s et al. 1994immature]

Cercidia
Cercidia prominens [Danks 1971]

Hypsosinga
Hypsosinga albovittata [Danks 1971als Singa albovittata]
Hypsosinga pygmaea [Danks 1971als Singa pygmaea]

Gibbaranea
Gibbaranea bituberculata [Asís et al. 1994immature]
Linyphiidae [Blösch 2000],[Asis et al. 1994],[Abraham 1982],[Lomholdt 1984]
(Money spiders)

preference group [Asís et al. 1994]

Bolyphantes [Peeters et al. 2004+Woydak 1996+Lomholdt 1984als Bolyphaltes]

Cercidia
Cercidia prominens [Danks 1971]

Floronia
Floronia bucculenta [Asís et al. 1994]

Microlinyphia
Microlinyphia pusilla [Asís et al. 1994]

Microneta
Microneta viaria [Asís et al. 1994]
Oxyopidae
Oxyopes
– Oxyopes heterophthalmus [Asís et al. 1994]

Salticidae [Asís et al. 1994]
(Jumping spiders)


Pseudeuophrys
Pseudeuophrys erratica [Danks 1971als Euophrys erratica]

Tetragnathidae
preference group [Asís et al. 1994]

Pachygnatha [Asís et al. 1994]
Thomisidae [Asís et al. 1994],[Abraham 1982]
(Crab spiders)

Synema
– Synema globosum [Asís et al. 1994onvolw]

Thomisus
Thomisus onustus [Asís et al. 1994onvolw]

Xysticus [Asís et al. 1994onvolw]
Table 4-1: Prey species in the Netherlands

Prooisoorten buiten Nederland:

Araneidae
(Orb-weaver spiders)

Larinioides
Larinioides sclopetarius [Asís et al. 1994]
Theridiidae
Kochiura
Kochiura aulica [Asís et al. 1994als Anelosimus aulicus]
Table 4-2: Prey species outside the Netherlands

5. PARASITIC RELATIONS

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

Chalcidoidae
(Chalcid wasps)

Eulophidae
Melittobia
Melittobia acasta [Marechal 1936]

Eurytomidae
Eurytoma [Danks 1971]
Eurytoma nodularis [Blösch 2000],[Peeters et al. 2004+Woydak 1996als Eurytoma rubicola]

Torymus
Torymus armatus [Danks 1971als Diomorus armatus]

Chrysididae
(Cuckoo wasps)

Pseudomalus
Pseudomalus auratus [Peeters et al. 2004],[Asís et al. 1994],[Blösch 2000+Woydak 1996+Lomholdt 1984+Danks 1971als omalus auratus]
Pseudomalus pusillus [Peeters et al. 2004],[Blösch 2000+Woydak 1996+Lomholdt 1984als omalus pusillus]

Trichrysis

Trichrysis cyanea
[Peeters et al. 2004],[Blösch 2000],[Asís et al. 1994],[Woydak 1996],[Lomholdt 1984],[Danks 1971],[Tormos et al. 2005]
Ichneumonidae
(Ichneumon wasps)

Bathythrix
Bathythrix claviger [Danks 1971als Ischnurgops claviger]
Bathythrix fragiIis [Danks 1971als Ischnurgops fragilis]

Enclisis
Enclisis macilenta [Blösch 2000als Caenocryptus inflatus = Enclisis inflatus],[Fitton 1982],[Danks 1971als Caenocryptus macilentus]

Ephialtes
Ephialtes manifestator [Peeters et al. 2004]

Mastrus [Danks 1971]

Diptera
(Flies)

Sarcophagidae
Amobia
Amobia signata [Peeters et al. 2004+Woydak 1996+Lomholdt 1984als Pachyophthalmus signatus],[Povolny 1997]

Tachinidae [Danks 1971]

Table 5-1: Parasitic species in the Netherlands

Parasitic species outside the Netherlands:

Chrysididae
(Cuckoo wasps)

Chrysidea
Chrysis graelsii [Asís et al. 1994als Chrysis sybarita]
Chrysidea pumila [Asís et al. 1994]

Elampus
Elampus coeruleus [Marechal 1936, as Ellampus]
Ichneumonidae
(Ichneumon wasps)

Hoplocryptus
Hoplocryptus coxator [Blösch 2000als H. rubi ]
Table 5-2: Parasitic species outside the Netherlands

6. IDENTIFICATION

Length males: 7,5 – 10 mm
Length females: 9 – 12 mm

Genus

The genus Trypoxylon can be identified using the following characters:

1.  Forewing: with one submarginal cell [Klein 1999],[Jacobs 2007],[Dollfuss 1991]

Trypoxylon attenuatum ♀︎, Trypoxylon: forewing with one submarginal cell

2. Eye: inner edge with deep U-shaped emargination [Klein 1999],[Jacobs 2007],[Dollfuss 1991]

Trypoxylon attenuatum ♀︎, inner edge eye with deep U-shaped emargination

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

4. Abdomen: relatively very long [Klein 1999],[Jacobs 2007],[Dollfuss 1991]
The abdomen protrudes relatively far from beneath the wings.

Trypoxylon attenuatum ♀︎, imago


specimen caught for photo identification on 08-vii-2021, length ±12mm

Trypoxylon attenuatum ♀︎, imago
Trypoxylon attenuatum ♀︎, imago
Trypoxylon attenuatum ♀︎, imago
Trypoxylon attenuatum ♀︎, imago

1. Antenna with 12 segments [Bitsch 2021],[Klein 1999],[Jacobs 2007],[Dollfuss 1991]

Trypoxylon attenuatum ♀︎, antenna with twelve segments

2. Abdomen with 6 segments [Bitsch 2021],[Klein 1999],[Jacobs 2007],[Dollfuss 1991]

Trypoxylon attenuatum ♀︎, abdomen with six segments

HEAD

1. Distance between eyes vertex (l1) larger than distance between eyes at the clypeus (l2) [Klein 1999],[Jacobs 2007],[Dollfuss 1991], ratio 1,2-1,4 [Bitsch 2021]

Trypoxylon attenuatum ♀︎, distance between eyes on vertex (l1) larger than distance between eyes at clypeus (l2)

2. Forehead (frons): without a shield-like area limited by carinae [Bitsch 2021],[Jacobs 2007],[Dollfuss 1991]

Trypoxylon attenuatum ♀︎, frons without a shield-like area limited by carinae

3. Forehead: medial keel above antennal inplant weakly elevated, en profil without clear bend towards forehead line [Bitsch 2021],[Jacobs 2007],[Dollfuss 1991]

Trypoxylon attenuatum ♀︎, medial keel forehead weakly elevated above antennae implants, en profil no clear indentation

4. Clypeus: apical edge middle lobe weakly protruding [Bitsch 2021],[Klein 1999],[Jacobs 2007],[Dollfuss 1991], with obtuse, rounded [Klein 1999], side angles [Jacobs 2007],[Dollfuss 1991], lobe rather narrow [Bitsch 2021]

Trypoxylon attenuatum ♀︎, clypeus frontal lobe weakly extended, with obtuse side angles

5. Occipital carina: lower part occipital carina not enlarged [Bitsch 2021],[Klein 1999],[Jacobs 2007]

Trypoxylon attenuatum ♀︎, lower part occipital carina not enlarged

6. Kop: upper part back head sparingly covered with prostrate hairs [Jacobs 2007]

Trypoxylon attenuatum ♀︎, upper part back head sparingly covered with prostrate hairs

THORAX

1. Upper side thorax (mesonotum): mat [Bitsch 2021],[Jacobs 2007],[Dollfuss 1991]

Trypoxylon attenuatum ♀︎, mesonotum mat

2. Pronotum: rear edge black [Bitsch 2021],[Klein 1999],[Dollfuss 1991]

Trypoxylon attenuatum ♀︎, rear edge pronotum black

3. Foreleg: shin (tibia) and tarsus black [Bitsch 2021],[Klein 1999],[Jacobs 2007],[Dollfuss 1991]

Trypoxylon attenuatum ♀︎, foreleg shin and tarsus black

4. Forewing: submarginal cel with acute or obtuse external angle [Bitsch 2021]

Trypoxylon attenuatum ♀︎, Forewing: submarginal cel with acute or obtuse external angle

ABDOMEN

1. Length tergite 1 (l1) about as long as combined length tergites 2 and 3 (l2) [Klein 1999],[Jacobs 2007],[Dollfuss 1991], ratio between length segment I and abdomen = 3,0-5,0 [Bitsch 2021]

Trypoxylon attenuatum ♀︎, length tergite 1 about as long as combined length of tergites 2 and 3


Trypoxylon attenuatum ♂︎
Trypoxylon attenuatum ♂︎
Trypoxylon attenuatum ♂︎
Trypoxylon attenuatum ♂︎

1. Antenna with 13 segments [Bitsch 2021],[Klein 1999],[Jacobs 2007],[Dollfuss 1991]

Trypoxylon attenuatum ♂︎, antenna with thirteen segments

2. Abdomen with 7 segments [Bitsch 2021],[Klein 1999],[Jacobs 2007],[Dollfuss 1991]

Trypoxylon attenuatum ♂︎, abdomen with seven segments

HEAD

1. Distance between eyes vertex (l1) larger than distance between eyes at the clypeus (l2) [Klein 1999],[Jacobs 2007],[Dollfuss 1991], ratio 1,4-1,7 [Bitsch 2021]

Trypoxylon attenuatum ♂︎, Distance between eyes vertex (l1) larger than distance between eyes at the clypeus (l2)

2. Forehead (frons): without a shield-like area limited by carinae [Bitsch 2021],[Jacobs 2007],[Dollfuss 1991]

Trypoxylon attenuatum ♂︎, Forehead (frons): without a shield-like area limited by carinae

3. Forehead: medial keel above antennal inplant weakly elevated, en profil without clear bend towards forehead line [Bitsch 2021],[Jacobs 2007],[Dollfuss 1991]

Trypoxylon attenuatum ♂︎, Forehead: medial keel above antennal inplant weakly elevated, en profil without clear bend towards forehead line

4. Occipital carina: lower part not enlarged [Bitsch 2021],[Klein 1999],[Jacobs 2007]

Trypoxylon attenuatum ♂︎, Occipital carina: lower part not enlarged
Trypoxylon attenuatum ♂︎, Occipital carina: lower part not enlarged

5. Head: hypostomal bridge longitudinally striped [Bitsch 2021]

Trypoxylon attenuatum ♂︎, Head: hypostomal bridge longitudinally striped

6. Antenna: apically weakly enlarged [Dollfuss 1991]

Trypoxylon attenuatum ♂︎, Antenna: apically weakly enlarged

7. Antenna: last member as long as the four previous members together [Bitsch 2021],[Dollfuss 1991]

Trypoxylon attenuatum ♂︎, Antenna: last member as long as the four previous members together

THORAX

1. Thorax: dorsally (mesonotum) mat [Bitsch 2021],[Jacobs 2007],[Dollfuss 1991]

Trypoxylon attenuatum ♂︎, Thorax: dorsally (mesonotum) mat

2. Pronotum: rear edge black [Bitsch 2021],[Klein 1999],[Jacobs 2007],[Dollfuss 1991]

Trypoxylon attenuatum ♂︎, Pronotum: rear edge black

3. Foreleg: shin (tibia) and tarsus black [Bitsch 2021],[Klein 1999],[Jacobs 2007],[Dollfuss 1991]

Trypoxylon attenuatum ♂︎, Foreleg: shin (tibia) and tarsus black

4. Forewing: submarginal cel with acute or obtuse external angle [Bitsch 2021]

Trypoxylon attenuatum ♂︎, Forewing: submarginal cel with acute or obtuse external angle

ABDOMEN

1. Length tergite 1 (l1) about as long as combined length tergites 2 and 3 (l2) [Klein 1999],[Jacobs 2007],[Dollfuss 1991], ratio between length segmentI and abdomen = 3,0-5,0 [Bitsch 2021]

Trypoxylon attenuatum ♂︎, Length tergite 1 (l1) about as long as combined length tergites 2 and 3 (l2)

2. Genitals: apical part parameres split no deeper than hook aedoeagus [Bitsch 2021],[Jacobs 2007]; gonostyle split over only 1/3 its length [Klein 1999]

Trypoxylon attenuatum ♂︎, Genitals: apical part parameres split no deeper than hook aedoeagus; gonostyle (red) split over only 1/3 its length

3. Genitals: base parameres with long straight bristles [Jacobs 2007]



Literature

Abraham 1982 Abraham, R., 1982. Zur Biologie von Trypoxylon attenuatum Smith, 1851 und T. figulus (Linnaeus, 1758)(Hymenoptera: Sphecidae). Entomologische Mitteilungen aus dem Zoologischen Museum Hamburg.

Asís et al. 1994 Asís, J. D., Tormos, J., & Gayubo, S. F., 1994. Biological observations on Trypoxylon attenuatum and description of its mature larva and its natural enemy Trichrysis cyanea (Hymenoptera: Sphecidae, Chrysididae). Journal of the Kansas Entomological Society, 199-207.

Asís et al. 2007 Asís, J. D., Benéitez, A., Tormos, J., Gayubo, S. F., & Tomé, M. A. M., 2007. The significance of the vestibular cell in trap nesting wasps (Hymenoptera: Crabronidae): Does its presence reduce mortality?. Journal of insect behavior, 20, 289-305.

Bitsch 2021 Bitsch, J., 2021. Hyménoptères sphéciformes d'Europe: Volume 2, Systématique (2e partie) : Crabroninae, Dinetinae, Eremiaspheciinae & Mellininae. France: Faune De France.

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.

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.

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

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.

Marechal 1936 Marechal, P., 1936. Ethologie des Trypoxylon (Hym. Sphég.) et observations sur T. attenuatum Sm. Bull. Ann. Soc. Entomol. Belgique, 76, 373-396.

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.

Soortenregister Nederlands Soortenregister

Tormos et al. 2005 Tormos, J., Asís, J. D., Gayubo, S. F., Calvo, J., & Martín, M. A., 2005. Ecology of crabronid wasps found in trap nests from Spain (Hymenoptera: Spheciformes). Florida Entomologist, 88(3), 278-284.

Waarneming.nl Waarneming.nl

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

Citation

Krischan, O.R., 2025. Trypoxylon attenuatum. Kerfdier, www.kerfdier.nl. Accessed on 20 March 2025.



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