Synoeca
Genus of wasps / From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
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Synoeca is a genus of eusocial paper wasps found in the tropical forests of the Americas. Commonly known as warrior wasps or drumming wasps, they are known for their aggressive behavior, a threat display consisting of multiple insects guarding a nest beating their wings[2] in a synchronized fashion, and an extremely painful sting (rating at the highest level of 4 in the Schmidt sting pain index). The sting is barbed and if used often kills the wasp,[3] which may be the reason why such a striking defensive display is used. This display escalates from drumming inside the nest to hundreds of wasps moving on to the envelope of the nest and continuing to drum. If this does not deter the threat only then do the wasps begin to sting.[2]
Synoeca | |
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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 |