Embolemus ruddii Westwood, 1846

Vas, Zoltan & Kutasi, Csaba, 2016, Hymenoptera from caves of Bakony Mountains, Hungary - an overlooked taxon in hypogean research, Subterranean Biology 19, pp. 31-39 : 34

Taxon classification Animalia Hymenoptera Embolemidae

Embolemus ruddii Westwood, 1846

Material examined.

Hungary, Veszprém County, Balatonfüred, Lóczy Cave, Középső-kar [Middle-branch], DFE: 50 m, 29 April 2011-28 June 2011, leg. L.T. Katona & Cs. Kutasi, 1 ♀; same location, 25 September 2011-26 March 2012, leg. Zs. Csermák, L.T. Katona & Cs. Kutasi, 1 ♂; Hungary, Veszprém County, Szentgál, Kőlik Cave, Bagolyvár [Castle of the Owl], DFE: 16 m, 27 November 2011-24 March 2012, leg. Zs. Csermák & L.T. Katona, 1 ♀.

Remarks.

Little is known about the biology of this widespread but rare Palaearctic species. Based on rearing data from relatives might be a parasitoid of homopteran larvae ( Olmi 1999); however, there are several observations which suggest some relation to ants ( Achterberg and Kats 2000). The wingless females regularly occur in mole and ant nests, and under stones; however, this species has also been reported from caves ( Sebald and Weber 2013). It is known that females overwinter as adults ( Gauld and Bolton 1988); considering collecting dates, they might hibernate in the caves.