Bethylid Wasps (Bethylidae) These are small to medium-sized, usually metallic-bronze wasps. Either or both sexes of a species may include winged and winglessm individuals. The larvae are commonly endo- or ectoparasitic on the paralyzed or dead larvae of beetles, moths, and butterflies.
In 1927, a tiny black wasp of the genus Epyris, which inflicts a severe sting, was reported from Yolo County, California (von Geldern, 1927). These wasps were said to appear in large numbers in the fall after a warm spell, invade houses, and get into bedding and clothing, where they stung when crushed against the skin. Individuals within a family varied greatly in their reactions, the most sensitive suffering general systemic disorders over a period of about a half hour, including itching, cramps, diarrhea, marked prostration, weakness, and sweating. The wasp was Iater identified as Epyris californicus (Ashmead). It is occasionally reported to sting people in the lowland delta area in northern California. It is believed to parasitize the larvae of tenebrionid beetles (Essig, 1932, 1942). Muesebeck et al. (1951) recorded the species as occurring in California and Arizona. Cephalonomia gallicola (Ashmead) occurs in the eastern United States, Europe, and Asia, and is probably cosmopolitan. Certain beetles, such as Stegobium paniceum and Lasioderma serricorne, which commonly infest stored products in the household, are hosts of this wasp. Adult wasps are likely to become abundant in houses with a persistent infestation of the beetles, and there have been many reports of the human occupants being stung. Other bethylid wasps of the genus Sclerodermus parasitize cerambycid beetle larvae infesting the woodwork of houses, and the adult wasps have often been reported to sting people (Muesebeck et al., 1951). http://www.insects.ucr.edu/ebeling/ebel9-2.html Jim Harmon California Pest Management, inc. 626-633-6620 From: [email protected] [mailto:[email protected]] On Behalf Of Rui Marto Fonseca - EXPM Lda. Sent: Friday, January 21, 2011 3:36 AM To: [email protected] Subject: [pestlist] info on "Scleroderma domestica" Dear Pestlist members, Do you have any scientific information about this insect and erradication? Thank you for cooperation, -- Rui Marto Fonseca Gestor Produto / Product Manager Tlm: 00351 917885010 EXPM, Desinfestacao e Higienizacao, Lda Equipamentos e Servicos para Preservacao e Conservacao de Acervos / Equipment & Services for the Preservation and Maintenance of Collections ESCRITORIO / OFFICE: Rua dos Ciprestes, 48 - Edificio Office no Estoril - 2765-623 Estoril Tel: 00351 214661910 / Fax: 00351 214661523 / Email: [email protected] SEDE / HEADQUARTER: R. Prof. Dias Valente, n.32 - Edificio Copacabana, 4B - 2765-578 Estoril ARMAZEM / STOREHOUSE: R. Fonte da Carreira, 350 - Armazem 10 A - Mata Sete - Manique de Baixo - 2645-467 Alcabideche Tel: 00351 210936238
