Metoecus paradoxus

Metoecus paradoxus, also known as the wasp nest beetle is a species of Metoecus in the family Ripiphoridae.[1]

Metoecus paradoxus
Scientific classification
Kingdom:	Animalia
Phylum:	Arthropoda
Class:	Insecta
Order:	Coleoptera
Family:	Ripiphoridae
Genus:	Metoecus
Species:	M. paradoxus
Binomial name
Metoecus paradoxus (Linnaeus, 1761)
Synonyms
Mordella paradoxa Linnaeus, 1761 Rhipiphorus paradoxus Metoecus affinis Fischer von Waldheim, 1832 Metoecus atripennis Pic, 1916 Metoecus gradli Schilsky, 1901 Metoecus luteonotatus Pic, 1916 Metoecus multinotatus Pic, 1916 Metoecus nigrolineatus Pic, 1916 Metoecus theresae Pic, 1916 Metoecus trinotatus Pic, 1916 Metoecus viturati Pic, 1916 Mordella erythrogaster Froel, 1792

Description

M. paradoxus measures approximately 10 mm in length. It has a dark head and body and paler, orange-coloured pointed elytra which do not completely cover the abdomen. It has feathery antennae.[2]

Biology and lifecycle

M. paradoxus is primarily a parasitoid of the common wasp Vespula vulgaris. Adult females lay eggs in decaying wood in autumn, which hatch in spring or summer. The first instar triungulin clings to a V. vulgaris worker to be transported to the nest. Once at the nest, the larva parasitises a wasp larva - once the larva has closed the cell, the M. paradoxus larva consumes the host and pupates in its place. Adults emerge from late July to early October. The development from larva to adult takes less than one month. Adult beetles probably don't feed and live for between 6 and 12 days.[3]

References

1. "Metoecus". Species. GBIF. Retrieved 27 October 2019.
2. "Wasp Nest Beetle". NatureSpot. Retrieved 27 October 2019.
3. Heitmans, W.; Peeters, T.M.J. (January 1996). "Metoecus paradoxus in The Netherlands (Coleoptera: Rhipiphoridae)". Entomologische Berichten. 56 (7): 109–117.