Nesting behaviour and description of mature larva of Lindenius albilabris (Fabricius, 1793) (Hymenoptera: Crabronidae)

Nesting habits of the digger wasp Lindenius albilabris (Fabricius, 1793) at two localities in Poland were studied. The female hunts nymphs or adults of plant bugs Lygus rugulipennis Poppius, 1911 and L. pratensis (Linnaeus, 1758), depositing up to 10 individuals per cell, depending on their size. Nests are built in a wide variety of sandy habitats, on dirt roads, and in wastelands. The nest consists of a 10-12 cm long main burrow and one to three cells. Males are usually found on flowers of wild carrots Achillea millefolium, Daucus carota, Peucedanum oreoselinum, Pimpinella sp. and Tanacetum vulgare. The nest kleptoparasite Metopia argyrocephala was recorded in nests of this species. The mature larva is first described in this study and its morphology is compared with other species of the genus.

Automated summary

The nesting habits of the digger wasp Lindenius albilabris in two localities in Poland were studied. The females hunt nymphs or adults of plant bugs and deposit up to 10 individuals per cell. The nests are built in various sandy habitats, dirt roads, and wastelands.