Prionyx

Prionyx
Scientific classification
Kingdom:	Animalia
Phylum:	Arthropoda
Clade:	Pancrustacea
Class:	Insecta
Order:	Hymenoptera
Family:	Sphecidae
Tribe:	Prionychini
Genus:	Prionyx Vander Linden, 1827
Type species
Prionyx kirbii Vander Linden, 1827
Synonyms
Calosphex Kohl, 1890 Enodia Dahlbom, 1843 Gastrosphaeria A. Costa, 1858 Harpactopus F. Smith, 1856 Neosphex Reed, 1894 Parasphex F. Smith, 1856 Priononyx Dahlbom, 1843 Pseudosphex Taschenberg, 1869

Prionyx is a genus of wasps in the family Sphecidae. They are known to hunt and feed on grasshoppers.

Behavior

Prior to laying their eggs the female Prionyx stings a grasshopper causing paralysis. She will then bury the grasshopper in a burrow she has excavated, lay an egg on the body, and then seal the burrow. When the egg develops it feeds on the grasshopper until it has matured, and then pupates.

Etymology

The name Prionyx comes from the Greek words "Prion" (Saw) and "Onyx/Onychus" (Claw), which refers to the saw-like endings on the creature's legs.

Species

These species belong to the genus Prionyx:

Data sources: i = ITIS, c = Catalogue of Life, g = GBIF, b = Bugguide.net WPC = Wojciech J. Pulawski's Catalog (Accessed March, 2025, but not in ITIS etc using same older source from 2019)

• Note: As a proposed replacement name for preoccupied Sphex chilensis Spinola, 1851, as used later by various authors, but in several sources as e.g. Prionyx chilensis (Spinola, 1851), e.g. after Amarante, 2002)

References