Belonogaster juncea juncea
| Belonogaster juncea juncea | |
|---|---|
| Scientific classification | |
| Kingdom: | Animalia |
| Phylum: | Arthropoda |
| Class: | Insecta |
| Order: | Hymenoptera |
| Family: | Vespidae |
| Genus: | Belonogaster |
| Species: | B. juncea |
| Subspecies: | B. juncea juncea |
| Binomial name | |
|
Belonogaster juncea juncea (Fabricius, 1781) |
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Belonogaster juncea juncea is a subspecies of Belonogaster juncea and is classified as a primitively eusocial wasp, meaning that the species is social while exhibiting a morphology that is indistinguishable from that of other castes. It is also classified as a type of African Paper Wasp. Many of the studies relating specifically to B. j. juncea take place at the University of Yaoundé in Cameroon.
Johan Christian Fabricius originally discovered and classified Belonogaster juncea juncea in 1781.Belonogaster juncea juncea belongs to the genus Belonogaster which consists of over 80 species of primitively eusocial wasps. In general, the genus is Afrotropical. The genus consists of independent-founding species, meaning that colonies are founded by either one or a few foundresses. Individuals in colonies of various Belonogaster species, such as B. grisea, B. petiolata, and B. j. juncea also tend to display aggressive behavior toward other members of the same colony.
There are two subspecies of Belonogaster juncea: Belonogaster juncea colonials and Belonogaster juncea juncea.
Belonogaster juncea juncea has a gaster that is considerably larger and more bulbous than its petiole, which appears very thin and long. Mesoscutum length is 3.8 mm ± 0.2 mm in dominant individuals and 3.6 mm ± 0.5 mm in subordinate individuals, while petiole length is 6.9 mm ± 0.4 mm in dominant individuals and 6.6 mm ± 0.5 mm in subordinate individuals. It also has somewhat lengthy antennae and typically exhibits a black/dark red color. Along with an increased size, a dominant female in a B. j. juncea colony can be identified by abdominal wiggling behavior, as subordinate females and other males or workers do not exhibit this sort of behavior.
Belonogaster juncea juncea has been sighted primarily in Africa and in various parts of Asia such as Saudi Arabia and India. They also are found in both tropical and temperate climates.B. j. juncea will colonize on buildings with great frequency, as evidenced by the fact that multiple studies have been conducted on colonies found in overhangs and roofs of the buildings of the University of Yaoundé in Cameroon, Africa. Some nests have also been found on large boulders. Their nests are made of paper, as they are a type of African Paper Wasp, and they contain a single comb. Typically, colonies consist of no more than 20 individuals.
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