behangerswesp
Discoelius zonalis
The behangerswesp (Discoelius zonalis) is a distinctive parasitoid wasp characterized by its metallic bronze-green coloration with prominent yellow banding across the abdomen. This specialized insect plays a crucial ecological role as a biological control agent, parasitizing the larvae of wood-boring beetles in temperate forest ecosystems.
27
Countries
Photo: iNaturalist: (c) Emanuele Santarelli, some rights reserved (CC BY-SA), uploaded by Emanuele Santarelli
Taxonomy & Classification
Kingdom
Animalia
Phylum
Arthropoda
Class
Insecta
Order
Hymenoptera
Family
Eumenidae
Genus
Discoelius
behangerswesp belongs to the family Eumenidae, order Hymenoptera, within the Insecta class.
Species Profile
The behangerswesp (Discoelius zonalis) is a distinctive parasitoid wasp characterized by its metallic bronze-green coloration with prominent yellow banding across the abdomen. This specialized insect plays a crucial ecological role as a biological control agent, parasitizing the larvae of wood-boring beetles in temperate forest ecosystems.
Discoelius zonalis faces significant threats from habitat loss due to deforestation and agricultural expansion in its native range. Climate change and pesticide use in agricultural areas further compound the pressures on this wasp species, affecting both its nesting sites and prey availability.
Key Facts
Habitat & Distribution
This species inhabits tropical and subtropical forest edges, woodland clearings, and adjacent agricultural landscapes where it constructs nests in soil banks and sandy substrates. It requires areas with adequate prey populations of other insects and access to suitable nesting sites in well-drained soils.
Threats
Agricultural expansion and land conversion
Habitat loss from deforestation
Climate change altering habitat conditions
Pesticide use affecting prey species
Found in 27 Countries
Community Sightings
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Sources & Attribution
How to Cite
IUCN: IUCN (2025). The IUCN Red List of Threatened Species. Version 2025-1. Available at: https://www.iucnredlist.org. doi:10.2305/IUCN.UK.2025-1.RLTS
GBIF: GBIF.org (2025). GBIF Home Page. Available at: https://www.gbif.org
This page: SpeciesRadar (2025). behangerswesp (Discoelius zonalis). SpeciesRadar: Intelligence for Earth's Biodiversity. Available at: https://speciesradar.org/species/behangerswesp