5-412: The blue ant ( Diamma bicolor ), also known as the blue-ant or bluebottle , is a species of flower wasp in the family Thynnidae . It is the sole member of the genus Diamma and of the subfamily Diamminae . Despite its common name and wingless body, it is not an ant but rather a species of large, solitary, parasitic wasp . The blue ant is endemic to south and southeast Australia, including
10-613: A family of large, solitary wasps whose larvae are almost universally parasitoids of various beetle larvae, especially those in the superfamily Scarabaeoidea . Until recently, the constituents of this family were classified in the family Tiphiidae , but multiple studies have independently confirmed that thynnids are a separate lineage. Most species are small, but they can be up to 30 mm long. The females of some subfamilies ( Diamminae , Methochinae , and most Thynninae ) are wingless and hunt ground-dwelling ( fossorial ) beetle larvae, or (in one species) mole crickets . The prey
15-469: Is paralysed with venom injected by the female's stinger and an egg is laid upon it so the wasp larva has a ready supply of food. Adults feed on nectar and pollinate various native Australian flowers, such as Lomatia silaifolia . They are fast-moving and burrow under leaves to escape danger. They do not show aggression unless provoked. Thynnidae The Thynnidae (also known as thynnid wasps , flower wasps , or thynnid flower wasps ) are
20-470: Is paralysed with the female's sting, and an egg is laid on it so the wasp larva has a ready supply of food. In species where both sexes are winged, males are similar in size to the females, but are much more slender. The males of species with wingless females, however, are often much larger than the females and have wings; the adults mate in the air, with the female carried by the male's genitalia . Adults feed on nectar and are minor pollinators . As some of
25-535: The states of Tasmania , New South Wales , Victoria , and South Australia . Blue ants have a distinctive metallic blue-green body, with red legs. The female ranges up to 25 mm (1 in) in length, and is wingless. The male is smaller, about 15 mm ( 5 ⁄ 8 in), and has wings . Blue ants are ground-nesting. They are unusual among members of the family Thynnidae in exclusively hunting mole crickets as larval provisions, whereas all other species of thynnids attack beetle larvae . The cricket
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