Synoeca

Apoica
	S. septenrionalis nest
Scientific classification
Kingdom:	Animalia
Phylum:	Arthropoda
Class:	Insecta
Order:	Hymenoptera
Suborder:	Apocrita
Family:	Vespidae
Subfamily:	Polistinae
Tribe:	Epiponini
Genus:	Synoeca; de Saussure, 1852
Species
	5 described species

Synoeca is a genus of eusocial paper wasps found in the Central and South American tropics. Commonly known as warrior wasps or drumming wasps, these insects are known for aggressive behavior, a threat display consisting of multiple insects guarding a nest beating their wings^[1] in a synchronized fashion, and an extremely painful sting. Synoeca is one of only three insect types (the others being the bullet ant and the tarantula hawk) to receive a rating of 4 or higher on insect sting pain indices such as the Schmidt sting pain index.^[2]

Species

Synoeca cyanea (Fabricius, 1775) Found in Brazil, known locally as marimbondo-tatu or armadillo wasp
Synoeca chalybea de Saussure, 1852
Synoeca septentrionalis Richards 1978
Synoeca surinama (Linnaeus 1767)
Synoeca virginea (Fabricius, 1804)

References

^ Hogue, Charles Leonard. Latin American Insects and Entomology. University of California Press, 1993. ISBN 520078497
^ Schmidt, J. O., Blum, M. S., and Overal, W. L. "Hemolytic activities of stinging insect venoms", Archives of Insect Biochemistry and Physiology, 1:155–160, 1983.

Synoeca, Encyclopedia of Life

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[1] Hogue, Charles Leonard. Latin American Insects and Entomology. University of California Press, 1993. ISBN 520078497

[2] Schmidt, J. O., Blum, M. S., and Overal, W. L. "Hemolytic activities of stinging insect venoms", Archives of Insect Biochemistry and Physiology, 1:155–160, 1983.

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