| Prionyx | |
|---|---|
 | |
Scientific classification  | |
| 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] | |
| |
Prionyx is a genus of wasps in the family Sphecidae. They are known to hunt and feed on grasshoppers.
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.
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.
These 59 species belong to the genus Prionyx:
Data sources: i = ITIS, [2] c = Catalogue of Life, [3] g = GBIF, [4] b = Bugguide.net [5]
Wasps of the genus Sphex are cosmopolitan predators that sting and paralyze prey insects. Sphex is one of many genera in the old digger wasp family Sphecidae, though most apart from the Sphecinae have now been moved to the family Crabronidae. There are over 130 known Sphex species.
Pison is a cosmopolitan genus of wasps within the family Crabronidae. The genus comprises 145 described species, although many species, especially in South America remain undescribed.
Ammophila is the type genus of the subfamily Ammophilinae of the hunting wasp family Sphecidae. Ammophila is a large and cosmopolitan genus, with over 200 species, mostly occurring in the warmer regions of all continents apart from Antarctica.
Chrysis is a very large genus of cuckoo wasps. It is the largest genus in the family, including over 1,000 species, as large as the rest of the Chrysididae together. The generic name is derived from Greek chrysis, "gold vessel, gold-embroidered dress", and pays tribute to the brilliant metallic appearance of wasps in the genus.
Podalonia is a genus of parasitoidal wasps in the family Sphecidae.
Crossocerus is a genus of square-headed wasps in the family Crabronidae. There are at least 250 described species in Crossocerus.
Crabro is a genus of square-headed wasps belonging to the family Crabronidae. There are at least 80 described species in Crabro, found in the Nearctic and Palaearctic (Holarctic).
Ectemnius is a genus of wasps in the family Crabronidae. 188 species are known. The genus is found around the world but Australia has only two species.
Podium is a genus of thread-waisted wasps in the family Sphecidae. There are at least 20 described species in Podium.