Apoica

Apoica
nest of Apoica pallens
Scientific classification
Domain: Eukaryota
Kingdom: Animalia
Phylum: Arthropoda
Class: Insecta
Order: Hymenoptera
Family: Vespidae
Subfamily: Polistinae
Tribe: Epiponini
Genus: Apoica
Lepeletier, 1836
Type species
Apoica pallida
Olivier, 1791
Species

11 described species, see text

Apoica is a genus of eusocial paper wasp found throughout the Central and South American tropics. These wasps are truly nocturnal, carrying out their foraging activities after the setting of the sun. They prefer to construct their nests, which have an open comb like many paper wasps, under large leaves, or in shrubs. During the day, wasps covering the comb fan their wings to cool the nest, keeping it at a suitable temperature for larval development.

When attacking prey, Apoica release a drop of venom from their stings, which in turn attracts any nearby wasps to attack.

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