Taxonomy

Pemphredon (Pemphredon) lugubris | Mournful Wasp

Distribution

Status

Conservation status

Not Assessed

Species Biology

Identification

  • Body length: 7.5-11.5mm
  • Head, thorax and abdomen black in colour
  • Head squarish in shape
  • Similar to other small, black solitary wasps particularly other Pemphredon species. The use of a microscope and specialist keys will be required for identification

Habitat

Found in a range of habitats including woodland clearings and edges, mature parks and gardens, farmland hedgerows, scrub and heathland edges. 

Flight period

Flies in a single generation from late May until early September. 

Nesting biology

Nests are constructed solitarily in dead or decaying wood. The females will construct several cells branching off from the main tunnel in which aphids will be deposited. She will then lay an egg on the aphids, which will hatch soon after and the developing larvae feed on the aphids before emerging as adults the following year. 

Flowers visited

Unknown 

Similar species

  • Easily confused with other small, black solitary wasps (see above)

Distribution

World distribution(GBIF)

Temporal change

Records submitted to Data Centre in 2024

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