Taxonomy

Pemphredon (Cemonus) inornata | Shuckard's Wasp

Distribution

Status

Conservation status

Not Assessed

Species Biology

Identification

  • Body length: 5-8.5mm
  • Head, thorax and abdomen black in colour
  • Head square-ish in shape
  • Easily confused with other small, black other solitary wasps, especially other Pemphredon species. The use of a microscope and specialist keys is required for identification

Habitat

Seems to exploit a wide range of habitats in Ireland, including woodland edges, hedgerows and wetland margins. 

Flight period

Univoltine, flying from late May until September.

Nesting biology

Nests are constructed solitarily. In Ireland it has been observed nesting in free-standing dead wood. It is also believed to nest in hollow plant stems. The females will stock the nesting sites with various aphid species, on which the developing larva will feed and emerge as adults the following year.

Flowers visited

Not known to visit flowers.

Similar species

  • Other small, black solitary wasps (see above)

Distribution

World distribution(GBIF)

Temporal change

Records submitted to Data Centre in 2024

The following map is interactive. If you would prefer to view it full screen then click here.

Tags

Images