Ropalidia plebeiana
| Ropalidia plebeiana | |
|---|---|
| Scientific classification | |
| Kingdom: | Animalia |
| Phylum: | Arthropoda |
| Class: | Insecta |
| Order: | Hymenoptera |
| Family: | Vespidae |
| Subfamily: | Polistinae |
| Tribe: | Ropalidiini |
| Genus: | Ropalidia |
| Species: | R. plebeiana |
| Binomial name | |
|
Ropalidia plebeiana (Richards, 1978) |
|
Ropalidia plebeiana is a eusocial temperate paper wasp. It is unique, as it is the only temperate wasp in the typically tropical Ropalidia genus.R. plebeiana is widely distributed in eastern Australia, and recently have been found making huge nest aggregations, with thousands of nests on trunks of trees, in south-eastern New South Wales.
R. plebeiana is in the Vespidae family along with thousands of other wasp species. The genus, Ropalidia, is typically made up of wasps that live in tropical locations, but R. plebeiana is the exception. The genus, Ropalidia is classified as brown paper wasps. Although R. plebeiana does not yet have a place within the taxonomy of the Ropalidia family, it has been discovered to be closely related to R. proletaria.
R. plebeiana is a white-faced, brown paper wasp. It is a medium-size paper wasp, with a reddish-brown-colored body. There are small, thin white rings on its shoulders, waist, and abdomen.
Nests of R. plebeiana are seen as a horizontal single comb with an irregular shape, and they are grayish brown in color. Nests have been found to have 1-3 males and anywhere from 13-28 females.R. plebeiana nests have been found to have about 40 cells, which have transparent windows, with about 20 larvae and eggs at any point. The central cells of the nest are where the cocoons and larvae are found, and these cells are usually longer than the peripheral cells that contain eggs. The nests are seen to congregate in central areas in a “city” type atmosphere. Cooperation has been witnessed between different nest combs, and each separate nest comb is occupied by a single colony.
R. plebeiana is widely distributed in Australia. It is found mainly in New South Wales and the Capital Territory, but they also found in southern Queensland. Brisbane is generally considered to be the northern boundary of the species distribution. However, R. plebeiana can also be found north of Brisbane, further inland in tropical highland areas as well, such as the Atherton Tableland.
R. plebeiana builds has been known for building its nest in aggregrations, which are often formed under bridges and under overhanging rocks. These aggregations are made of separate nests that are built side by side. They were often built over running water.R. plebeiana with nests in Canberra are not aggregated.
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Wikipedia