Sclerodermus domesticus
Sclerodermus domesticus, also known as Scleroderma domesticus, Scleroderma domesticum, Scleroderma domestica or "antiquarian's friend", is a species of cuckoo wasp in the insect genus Sclerodermus. It was first described by Johann Christoph Friedrich Klug in 1809.[1]
| Sclerodermus domesticus | |
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| Species: | S. domesticus |
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| Sclerodermus domesticus (Klug, 1809) | |
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Description
Sclerodermus domesticus preys on Coleoptera including Anobium punctatum, Stegobium paniceum, Lasioderma serricorne, Hylotrupes bajulus and Nicobium castaneum, or occasionally Lepidoptera.
Males have wings but lack a stinger. Females are 2–5 mm long; they have a stinger but lack wings. They are black/brown, and have the appearance of ants. Females enter woodworm holes, paralyze the woodworm larvae with the venom of the stinger and lay their eggs in the corpses, which form the food for the S. domesticus larvae. This behavior leads to the common name of "antiquarian's friend".
Distribution and habitat
S. domesticus is a cosmopolitan species. It prefers mild weather. There are reports of the species in Spain, Italy, France, (Germany), United Kingdom, former Yugoslavia, Near East, United States and Costa Rica. It can be found inside homes, mostly in old furniture harboring woodworms.
Human infestation is rare. Bites are painful and can cause rash or dermatitis.[2][3][4][5]
References
- Sclerodermus domesticus Klug, 1809, BioLib, retrieved 6 June 2018
- http://www.raco.cat/index.php/SessioEnto/article/download/153651/205550&usg=AOvVaw34hrtFwUIwm-QpD5oN0x_k%5B%5D%5B%5D
- "Sclerodermus domesticus infestation". biomedsearch.com. Retrieved 6 June 2018.
- Mohar, N.; Dujmović, R.; Uremović, V. (6 June 1985). "Season dermatitis ex insectis caused by stings of Sclerodermus domesticus". Dermatologica. 171 (6): 446–449. doi:10.1159/000249471. PMID 4092800.
- Jirón, Luis F.; Hanson, Paul; Zeledón, Rodrigo (2016). "Un brote de dermatitis producido por picaduras de Sclerodermus sp. (Hymenoptera, Bethylidae) en Costa Rica, América Central" [An outbreak of dermatitis caused by Sclerodermus sp. (Hymenoptera, Bethylidae) bites in Costa Rica, Central America]. Acta Médica Costarricense (in Spanish). 58 (3).
Further reading
- Papini, Roberto (2014). "A case of stings in humans caused by Sclerodermus sp. in Italy". Journal of Venomous Animals and Toxins Including Tropical Diseases. 20 (1): 11. doi:10.1186/1678-9199-20-11. PMC 3973378. PMID 24685279.