cuckoo wasps

(Elampus spp.)

Overview
cuckoo wasp (Elampus sp.)
Photo by Alfredo Colon
 

Elampus is a genus of parasitic cuckoo wasps. It occurs in Europe, Japan, southern Africa, and North America. There aare 63 Elampus species worldwide, and new species are still being discovered and described. There are 8 species in North America north of Mexico and at least 5 species in Minnesota.

Elampus wasps parasitize the eggs of other insects, including wasps in the family and Crabronidae and possibly also in the family Sphecidae.

 
           
           
 
Description
 
 

Elampus wasps are relatively small, with most species measuring between 3-5 mm in length.

The body is elongated and slender, with a distinct waist or petiole that separates the thorax from the abdomen. The coloration can vary between species, but it is typically dark black or brown.

The head is small and rounded, with large compound eyes and long, slender antennae that are often longer than the body. The mouthparts are optimized for chewing, and they use it to cut into the eggs of their host insects.

The female has a long, slender ovipositor.

The wings are membranous and translucent, with distinctive venation patterns. They are often held flat over the body at rest.

The legs are long and slender, with sharp claws at the end.

The wings are clear or slightly tinted.

 
     
 
Distribution
 
 

Distribution Map

 

Sources

24, 27, 29, 30, 82, 83.

 
  3/23/2023      
         
 
Taxonomy
 
 

Order

Hymenoptera (ants, bees, wasps, and sawflies)  
 

Suborder

Apocrita (narrow-waisted wasps, ants, and bees)  
 

Infraorder

Aculeata (ants, bees, and stinging wasps)  
 

Superfamily

Chrysidoidea (cuckoo wasps and allies)  
 

Family

Chrysididae (cuckoo wasps)  
 

Subfamily

Chrysidinae  
 

Tribe

Elampini  
       
 

Subordinate Taxa

 
 

Elampus connexus

Elampus hyalinus

Elampus marginatus

Elampus musashinus

Elampus nitidus

Elampus panzeri

Elampus spina

Elampus versicolor

Elampus viridicyaneus

Elampus viridis

 
       
 

Synonyms

 
 

Notozus

 
       
 

Common Names

 
 

This genus has no common name. The common name for the family Chrysididae is cuckoo wasps, and it is applied here for convenience.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 
 
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Babette Kis

 
 

Elampus sp.

 
    cuckoo wasp (Elampus sp.)   cuckoo wasp (Elampus sp.)  
 

Alfredo Colon

 
    cuckoo wasp (Elampus sp.)   cuckoo wasp (Elampus sp.)  
           
 
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Visitor Sightings
 
           
 

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  Babette Kis
6/26/2020

Location: Barnes Prairie, Racine Co., WI

cuckoo wasp (Elampus sp.)  
  Alfredo Colon
7/9/2018

Location: Woodbury, Minnesota

cuckoo wasp (Elampus sp.)  
           
 
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Created: 1/16/2019

Last Updated:

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