Synoeca ilheensis

Synoeca ilheensis is a species of wasp in the genus Synoeca. It is found within the Atlantic Forest lowlands in South America. Members of this species are more aggressive and will warn invaders by producing a rhythm with their wings that resembles soldiers marching. Synoeca ilheensis was publicly announced on August 3, 2017.^[1]

Synoeca ilheensis
Scientific classification
Kingdom:	Animalia
Phylum:	Arthropoda
Class:	Insecta
Order:	Hymenoptera
Family:	Vespidae
Subfamily:	Polistinae
Genus:	Synoeca
Species:	S. ilheensis
Binomial name
Synoeca ilheensis Lopes & Menezes, 2017

Synoeca ilheensis is similar to Synoeca septentrionalis and Synoeca surinama.

Discovery

Rodolpho S.T. Menezes noted that he found specimens of Synoeca septentrionalis in the Atlantic Forest.^[2] He also stated they could be a separate species. In 2017, Mendes and Rogério Botion Lopes studied the specimens and determined them to be a separate species. The main defining traits are the coloration, jaw, and abdomen.