Synoeca
Synoeca | |
---|---|
Synoeca cyanea on their nest | |
S. septentrionalis nest | |
Scientific classification | |
Domain: | Eukaryota |
Kingdom: | Animalia |
Phylum: | Arthropoda |
Class: | Insecta |
Order: | Hymenoptera |
Family: | Vespidae |
Subfamily: | Polistinae |
Tribe: | Epiponini |
Genus: | Synoeca de Saussure, 1852 |
Type species | |
Vespa surinama | |
Species | |
6 described species |
Synoeca is a genus of
Distribution and habitat
The genus has a wide range within the Americas, with specimens being found in the tropical and subtropical portions thereof. S. septentrionalis is generally found in the northern part of the range, having been observed as far north as Mexico, throughout Central America and northern South America.[4] A very similar species, S. ilheensis, extends into Brazil and, until 2017, was reported as a southern population of S. septentrionalis.[5][6] The other species in the genus are predominantly found in South America, as far south as Argentina.[4]
Synoeca thrives in tropical rainforests, building arboreal nests in trees, typically on the underside of major branches. A single comb is built directly on the tree trunk; and the nests have a characteristic shape which resembles an
Species
- Synoeca cyanea Fabricius, 1775
- Synoeca chalibea de Saussure, 1852 (often misspelled as chalybea)
- Synoeca ilheensis Lopes & Menezes, 2017[6]
- Synoeca septentrionalis Richards 1978
- Synoeca surinama Linnaeus 1767
- Synoeca virginea Fabricius, 1804
Venom and potential utilisation
Entomologist
A research team in Brazil has discovered that Synoeca stings contain a newly discovered compound that could be used to treat anxiety, apparently working as effectively as diazepam when tested on rats.[9]
References
- ISBN 0565007858.
- ^ ISBN 0-520-07849-7.
- S2CID 42293043.
- ^ S2CID 85860442.
- ^ PMID 22368453.
- ^ .
- ^ "5 Most Painful Wasp Stings". Insect Realm. Retrieved 7 March 2022.
- PMC 6669698.
- ^ Greta Friar (4 November 2016). "The Venom of This Dangerous Wasp Could Someday Help Treat Anxiety". Nova Next. WGBH Educational Foundation. Retrieved 25 November 2016.
External links
- "Synoeca". Encyclopedia of Life. Retrieved August 1, 2013.