Brachygastra mellifica
| Brachygastra mellifica | |
|---|---|
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| Close-up | |
| Scientific classification | |
| Kingdom: | Animalia |
| Phylum: | Arthropoda |
| Class: | Insecta |
| Order: | Hymenoptera |
| Family: | Vespidae |
| Genus: | Brachygastra |
| Species: | B. mellifica |
| Binomial name | |
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Brachygastra mellifica Say, 1837 |
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Brachygastra mellifica, more commonly known as the Mexican honey wasp, is a neotropical social wasp. It can be found in both North and South America. B. mellifica is one of few wasp species that produces honey. It is also considered a delicacy in some cultures in Mexico. This wasp species is of use to humans because they can be used to control pest species and pollinate avocados.
The species that comprise the genus Brachygastra are neotropical social wasps. They can be found from southern United States to Northern Argentina and include a total of 16 species. B. mellifica is the only species present in the US, found in both Arizona and Texas. B. mellifica ranges from Texas to Nicaragua. This genus is known for its easily recognizable abdomen, which is wider than it is long, and its very high scutellum that often projects over the metanotum. B. mellifica is very similar in morphology to B. lecheguana but differs in its geographic distribution.
In general, external reproductive organs can distinguish males from females; only females have stingers. Workers and males share the same coloration. They both have alternating abdominal bands of yellow and black. Queens characteristically have a dark reddish-brown abdominal coloration. Queens can also be distinguished from workers due to the occurrence of sperm in the spermathecae of the queens.B. mellifica are small, with a body length of 7-9mm.
B. mellifica make paper nests that range in size from 40–50 cm in diameter. These nests are quite full and can house anywhere from 3,500 to 18,700 wasps. The nest begins as a single irregular layer of cells attached to the first layer of carton on a branch. Clumps of cells on the branch are then extended into the first hanging layer. Successive layers are formed independently and extend out and around the bottom of the first layer. This happens multiple times around and over the previous layer, resulting in a growing spiral. The nest goes from a small, flat oval to a sausage- or capsule-like shape over time. The surface of the nest is blotchy, colored brown or grey, varying as a result of the raw materials used for construction. The texture of the surface is that of rough cardboard, and is not glossy.
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Wikipedia