Dasyproctus
- peter smith
- Aug 2
- 2 min read
Dasyproctus in the family Craboninae is an interesting wasp! There are 220 entries worldwide on iNaturalist but only around 20 in Australia. Sightings range from Townsville to Melbourne and one in Perth so it seems to be adapted to a wide range of environments. What makes my observation fascinating is I found a nest and have been able to observe the nest multiple times over the summer of 2024/25. I will provide basic information here but more formal information in a PDF attached to this post.
The main track I wander is in the Jervis Bay National Park. Along this track is a large branch fallen from a scribbly gum. It is home to a large nest of Polyrhachis semiaurata ants and a grumpy Huntsman Spider. Approximately 2m above ground level are a couple of holes and one of these holes is home to the Dasyproctus.
The original hole may have been made by a borer but it has since been renovated by the wasps. It is common during summer to see sawdust at the nest entrance as can be seen in this picture. The entrance pad is fairly large with a smaller hole of 3-4mm extending into the tree and probably containing a number of cells.
There were at least four Dasyproctus living in the nest. While observing I saw frequent comings and goings with the maximum of four entering before one left. I do not know if they were progeny of the original founding wasp or cooperating wasps, however I suspect they are probably progeny.
Another interesting observation is that the nest often had a guard at the entrance. Here two beetles are looking for their own hole in a tree and being actively encouraged to move on by a mandible displaying guard. I have also seen the guard stare down a velvet ant and actually attack one of the P. semiaurata who stuck its head into the entrance. To attack she left the nest and dive bombed the ant until it quickly moved on.
The wasps hunt flies a picture and more information is in the PDF. The fly would be taken into the nest already paralyzed by the wasps sting. It would be taken to a cell, probably with a number of other paralyzed flies. Once the cell was full of flies a wasp egg would be laid and the cell plugged probably by sawdust. When the larvae emerge they would eat the hapless flies and then pupate into a Dasyproctus ready to keep the cycle going.
Most activity at the nest shut down mid-autumn and the nest had remained just a hole in the tree. However, at the end of July some sawdust was seen at the entrance but there was no other activity. It will be interesting to see how the nest develops come spring.
Comments