| Ropalidia amabala | |
|---|---|
| |
Scientific classification 
| |
| Domain: | Eukaryota |
| Kingdom: | Animalia |
| Phylum: | Arthropoda |
| Class: | Insecta |
| Order: | Hymenoptera |
| Family: | Vespidae |
| Subfamily: | Polistinae |
| Tribe: | Ropalidiini |
| Genus: | Ropalidia |
| Species: | R. amabala
|
| Binomial name | |
| Ropalidia amabala Polašek, Bellingan and van Noort, 2022
| |
Ropalidia amabala is an African species of paper wasp, described in 2022 based on the targeted search for a taxon that was firstly observed in the citizen science platform iNaturalist.[1] The name originates from the Zulu word amabala, meaning "spots", and refers to the six spots integrated with the posterior band on T2 and S2, characteristic for this species. In contrast to other mainland African Ropalidia species, this species builds nests directly on the tree trunks, especially in Brachychiton. The nest-building material is a nearby lichen, which gives a nest greyish colour and blends it perfectly into the surrounding area.[2]
- ^ "Ropalidia amabala". iNaturalist. February 15, 2019.
- ^ Polašek O, Bellingan T, van Noort S. (2022). A new species of paper wasp from the genus Ropalidia Guérin-Méneville from South Africa (Hymenoptera, Vespidae). Journal of Hymenoptera Research, 90, 213–222. https://doi.org/10.3897/jhr.90.81581