Prionyx

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Prionyx
Prionyx P1330136a.jpg
Scientific classification OOjs UI icon edit-ltr.svg
Domain: Eukaryota
Kingdom: Animalia
Phylum: Arthropoda
Class: Insecta
Order: Hymenoptera
Family: Sphecidae
Subfamily: Sphecinae
Genus: Prionyx
Vander Linden, 1827
Type species
Prionyx kirbii
Vander Linden, 1827 [1]
Synonyms [2]
  • Calosphex Kohl, 1890
  • Enodia Dahlbom, 1843
  • Gastrosphaeria A. Costa, 1858
  • Harpactopus F. Smith, 1856
  • Neosphex Reed, 1894
  • Parasphex F. Smith, 1856
  • Priononyx Dahlbom, 1843
  • Pseudosphex Taschenberg, 1869
Prionyx P1500936a.jpg
Prionyx P1500924a.jpg

Prionyx is a genus of wasps in the family Sphecidae. They are known to hunt and feed on grasshoppers.

Contents

Behavior

Prior to laying their eggs the female Prionyx stings a grasshopper causing paralysis. She will then bury the grasshopper in a burrow she has excavated, lay an egg on the body, and then seal the burrow. When the egg develops it feeds on the grasshopper until it has matured, and then pupates.

Etymology

The name Prionyx comes from the Greek words "Prion" (Saw) and "Onyx/Onychus" (Claw), which refers to the saw-like endings on the creature's legs.

Species

These species belong to the genus Prionyx:

Data sources: i = ITIS, [2] c = Catalogue of Life, [3] g = GBIF, [4] b = Bugguide.net [5] WPC = Wojciech J. Pulawski's Catalog (Accessed March, 2025, but not in ITIS etc using same older source from 2019)

References

  1. Jeong-Kyu Kim (2014). "Annotated catalog of the series Spheciformes (Hymenoptera: Apoidea) from the Korean Peninsula". Journal of Asia-Pacific Biodiversity. 7 (4): 415–456. doi: 10.1016/j.japb.2014.10.003 .
  2. 1 2 "Prionyx Report". Integrated Taxonomic Information System. Retrieved 2018-04-23.
  3. "Browse Prionyx". Catalogue of Life. Retrieved 2018-04-23.
  4. "Prionyx". GBIF. Retrieved 2018-04-23.
  5. "Prionyx Genus Information". BugGuide.net. Retrieved 2018-04-23.