Biology:Sclerodermus domesticus

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Short description: Species of wasp

Sclerodermus domesticus
Sclerodermus domesticus 02.jpg
Scientific classification edit
Domain: Eukaryota
Kingdom: Animalia
Phylum: Arthropoda
Class: Insecta
Order: Hymenoptera
Family: Bethylidae
Genus: Sclerodermus
Species:
S. domesticus
Binomial name
Sclerodermus domesticus
Latreille, 1809
Synonyms
  • Scleroderma domesticus
  • Scleroderma domesticum
  • Scleroderma domestica

Sclerodermus domesticus, also known as Scleroderma domesticus, Scleroderma domesticum, Scleroderma domestica or "antiquarian's friend", is a species of cuckoo wasp in the insect genus Sclerodermus. It was first described by Pierre André Latreille in 1809.[1]

Description

Diagram of Sclerodermus domesticus

Sclerodermus domesticus preys on Coleoptera including Anobium punctatum, Stegobium paniceum, Lasioderma serricorne, Hylotrupes bajulus and Nicobium castaneum, or occasionally Lepidoptera.

Males have wings but lack a stinger. Females are 2–5 mm long; they have a stinger but lack wings. They are black/brown, and have the appearance of ants. Females enter woodworm holes, paralyze the woodworm larvae with the venom of the stinger and lay their eggs in the corpses, which form the food for the S. domesticus larvae. This behavior leads to the common name of "antiquarian's friend".

Distribution and habitat

Sclerodermus domesticus

S. domesticus is a cosmopolitan species. It prefers mild weather. There are reports of the species in Spain, Italy, France, Portugal, (Germany), United Kingdom, former Yugoslavia, Near East, United States and Costa Rica. It can be found inside homes, mostly in old furniture, harboring woodworms. Stings are painful and can cause rash or dermatitis.[2][3][4][5]

References

  1. Pujade-Villar, J. & Viñolas, Amador & Muñoz-Batet, Josep & Brothers, Denis & Azevedo, Celso. (2021). Sclerodermus versus Scleroderma (Hymenoptera: Bethylidae). Butlletí de la Institució Catalana d’Història Natural 85(1): 37-40. doi:10.2436/20.1502.01.71
  2. http://www.raco.cat/index.php/SessioEnto/article/download/153651/205550&usg=AOvVaw34hrtFwUIwm-QpD5oN0x_k [full citation needed]
  3. "Sclerodermus domesticus infestation.". http://www.biomedsearch.com/nih/Sclerodermus-domesticus-infestation/21139548.html. Retrieved 6 June 2018. 
  4. Mohar, N.; Dujmović, R.; Uremović, V. (6 June 1985). "Season dermatitis ex insectis caused by stings of Sclerodermus domesticus". Dermatologica 171 (6): 446–449. doi:10.1159/000249471. PMID 4092800. 
  5. Jirón, Luis F.; Hanson, Paul; Zeledón, Rodrigo (2016). "Un brote de dermatitis producido por picaduras de Sclerodermus sp. (Hymenoptera, Bethylidae) en Costa Rica, América Central" (in Spanish). Acta Médica Costarricense 58 (3). http://actamedica.medicos.cr/index.php/Acta_Medica/article/view/932. 

Further reading

Wikidata ☰ Q3952467 entry