- Intro
- Sand Wasps A
- Sand Wasps B
- Thread-waisted Wasps
- Spider Wasps
- Other Aculeate Wasps
- Social Wasps
- Kin
Solitary wasps offer the naturalist an ideal introduction to insects in the field. Many species are common and relatively easy to find. The wasp's "benign" nature (towards humankind) and seemingly total "dedication" to the task at hand, particularly at her nest site, allows close observation of burrow construction, prey selection, and interment as well a variety of strategies employed by the adult female to protect her offspring. The species videos offer a sampling of these behaviors as well as a look at solitary wasps' kin including social wasps (the insects most people think of when they hear the word "wasp") such as yellow jackets, paper wasps, and hornets as well as the ancestors of solitary wasps including sawflies and horntails.
- Aphilanthops frigidus
- Bembix americana
- Bicyrtes quadrifasciatus
- Gorytes sp.
- Microbembex monodonta
- Sphecius speciosus
- Tachytes sp.
General Comments: some solitary wasps are generalists with respect to prey while others hunt only a single species
Species Identification: abdominal bands, femur, facial areas, and mandibles bright yellow
Species Behavior: adult female provisions her burrow exclusively with winged Formica queens
General Comments: adult female sand wasps carry out all rearing tasks including hunting and anesthetizing prey
Species Identification: five pairs of silver abdominal bands, yellow legs, green eyes (see similar Bicyrtes)
Species Behavior: Bembix wasps provide various fly species as larval food on an "as-needed" basis, much like nestling birds
General Comments: kleptoparasites such as the miltogrammine fly seen in the video place their larvae on the wasp's prey
Species Identification: four bold, ivory-colored abdominal bands (see somewhat similar Bembix)
Species Behavior: nest aggregations may occur; prey includes leaf-footed bugs (Coreidae) and stink bugs (Pentatomidae)
General Comments: some solitary wasps are hunted by others and Gorytes may fall prey to the beewolf wasp (Philanthus)
Species Identification: bright yellow abdominal bands; prey species may aid in field identification
Species Behavior: leafhoppers (Cicadellidae) including sharpshooters (Cicadellinae) are prey species for Gorytes
General Comments: most Microbembex occur west of the continental divide; M. monodonata is the eastern representative
Species Identification: white (yellow) abdominal bands, white "shoulder" (thoracic) marks, coastal and inland dunes
Species Behavior: unique for their scavanging life style, nests provisioned with a diversity of arthropod parts
General Comments: these large, noisy wasps form semi-permanent colonies ideal for observation and study
Species Identification: large size (3 - 5cm), reddish-brown thoracic marks, three pale yellow, broken abdominal bands
Species Behavior: competing males may form aggregations, females capture cicadas and may rob other females of prey
General Comments: many female sand wasps (Crabronidae) excavate burrows in sand or sandy soil for rearing young
Species Identification: large green eyes, abdomen with silvery bands
Species Behavior: larvae feed on anesthetized grasshoppers captured and placed in burrow by adult
- Cerceris fumipennis
- Cerceris halone
- Philanthus gibbosus
- Philanthus lepidus
- Philanthus sanbornii
- Philanthus ventilabris
General Comments: most N.A. Cerceris wasps are beetle hunters; C. fumipennis may find Emerald Ash Borer (EAB)
Species Identification: a relatively thick, single cream to yellowish abdominal band; Buprestids around nest site
Species Behavior: hunts metallic wood-boring beetles (Buprestids) and prey may signal the presence of the destructive EAB
General Comments: many Cerceris wasps are beetle hunters (see, C. fumipennis) and C. halone takes weevils (Curculio)
Species Identification: bold yellow bands and constricted abdominal segments
Species Behavior: note C. halone carries prey with her legs; other solitary wasps use their jaws to transport prey
General Comments: Philanthus wasps have drawn the attention of such notables as J. Fabre, N. Tinbergen, and H. E. Evans
Species Identification: numerous puncture marks on both thorax and abdomen; sweat bee (Halictid) prey
Species Behavior: often nest in loose aggregations; males and females may share burrows
General Comments: P. lepidus is a locally common Eastern species emerging late in the season
Species Identification: note the smooth rather than sculpted or punctulate (compare with P. gibbosus) body surfaces
Species Behavior: to deter parasites nest entrances are closed before foraging and "false" burrows are constructed
General Comments: occurs east of the Rocky Mts.; late June through July flight period
Species Identification: note the convergence of the eyes at the to of the head
Species Behavior: In a study of prey choices P. sanbornii was shown to take over 100 different species of bees and wasps
General Comments: Philanthus males including this species often defend mating territories from a conspicuous perch
Species Identification: dorsal surface of pronotum flat; bold facial and abdominal marks
Species Behavior: sweat bee (Halictid) prey; typically a solitary nester
- Ammophila procera
- Chlorion aerarium
- Eremnophila aureonotata
- Isodontia spp.
- Sphex ichneumoneus
- Sphex.
General Comments: Ammophila is an extremely diverse genus whose members are wide spread and many well studied
Species Identification: large size, red segment of abdpmen, thorax black with two white stripes
Species Behavior: prominent moth (Notodontidae) larval prey often poached by kleptoparasitic flies (see video)
General Comments: a so-called mass provisioner, Chlorion constucts a many-celled burrow with up to 20 crickets
Species Identification: large size and metallic blue highlights but similar to other large black wasps
Species Behavior: field cricket (Gryllus) prey both adults and nymphs
General Comments: our single representative of a neotropical genus and unlike most N.A. wasps associated with woodlands
Species Identification: similar in size and shape to A. procera but overall black with golden face and silver thoracic marks
Species Behavior: like other apoid wasps Eremnophila is often besieged by Sarcophagid brood parasites.
General Comments: many solitary wasps nest in underground burrows (fossorial) others like Isodontia are cavity nesters
Species Identification: all 3 speceis are black, thread-waisted wasps and superficially similar; see below
Species Behavior: these wasps are often noted as they transport nesting material from the source to their nest site
General Comments: the Great Golden Digger is well-studied and widespread across much of N.A. south to the neotropics
Species Identification: a large wasp with golden scales on the head and thorax and an orange abdomen tipped with black
Species Behavior: orthopteran prey such as katydids or coneheaded grasshoppers; displays many fixed action patterns
General Comments: John Bartram's studies of the Great Black Wasp were presented to the Royal Society in 1749
Species Identification: similar to C. aerarium but less iridescence (limited to wings) and frequently seen at flowers
Species Behavior: forages in meadows for katydids; less common than S. ichneumoneus
- Anoplius Blue-Black
- Anoplius semicinctus
- Anoplius tenebrosus
- Auplopus architectus
- Entypus fulvicornis
- Priocnemis minorata
General Comments: 48 species make Anoplius (aka Blue-black Spider Wasps) the largest genus of Pompillids in N.A.
Species Identification: the two species seen here are typical of the all black species (but see A. semicinctus)
Species Behavior: both wing flicking and regular periods of grooming are characteristic behaviors of spider wasps
General Comments: wolf and funnel web spiders are typical prey of Pompillids
Species Identification: the presence or absence of red abdominal marking may be helpful but not sufficient for identification
Species Behavior: while some spider wasps construct their own natal burrow others use the prey's nest to raise young
General Comments: A. tenebrosus females overwinter as adults and emerge earlier that most Pompillids
Species Identification: seasonality and habitat may be useful ID aids for those dicinclined to examine bristles and spurs
Species Behavior: some spider wasp females successfully usurp suitable prey from other wasps
General Comments: A. architectus amputates her prey's legs which may facilitate transport (but see, Behavior)
Species Identification: look-alike females of three Auplopus species are all small, metallic green Pompillids with dark legs
Species Behavior: leg amputation may have more to do with accomodating the unusual small mud nest built by the wasp
General Comments: Entypus wasps specialize on wolf spiders many of which are free roaming hunters themselves
Species Identification: yellow antennae and entirely black wing separate this species from E. unifasciatus
Species Behavior: in an abundance of caution the solitary wasp's initial sting is often directed at the prey's jaw muscles
General Comments: P. minorata is active early in the season hunting spiders that have overwintered as adults
Species Identification: sesonality may be the best clue; a very common species active as early as March
Species Behavior: rapid movements with sudden and numerous changes in direction are characteristic of foraging Pompillid
General Comments: mutillids (close relatives of spider wasps) are parasitoid wasps aka velvet ants or "cow killers"
Species Identification: wingless females resemble large red ants with abdominal banding; males wasp-like and black
Species Behavior: females invade active nest sites and lay their eggs on the developing young of other wasps and bees
General Comments: many of the potter or mason wasps (close relatives of social wasps) construct mud nests
Species Identification: E. fraternus is a relatively large, black wasp with white bands and oval-shaped markings
Species Behavior: gathers mud from wet areas adjacent to nest construction site
General Comments: many Chrysis species are cleptoparasites and lay their eggs on the provisioned prey of their host
Species Identification: small, iridescent green or greenish-blue bodies peppered with tiny pits
Species Behavior: often seen nectaring, note the defensive "curled" posture assumed when threatened
General Comments: Scoliid females dig in ground to locate scarab beetle grubs to sting and lay their eggs on
Species Identification: large, hairy species, the rust-red portion of the abdomen shows two bright yellow spots
Species Behavior: small groups of males are sometimes found sleeping at the tips of flowering plants
General Comments: Myzinum wasps parasitize the May beetle (Phyllophaga) scarab
Species Identification: video shows male, females stout with short antennae and overall dark with yellow bands (2nd broken)
Species Behavior: frequently seen nactaring, large aggregations of males may be found sleeping together
- Dolicovespula aranaria
- Dolicovespula maculata
- Polistes dominula
- Polistes exclamans
- Polistes fuscatus
- Vespula flavopilosa
- Vespula germanica
General Comments: this is the common aerial (as contrasted with ground nesting) yellowjacket of eastern North America
Species Identification: black with yellow abdominal bands; note that the first and second bands are interrupted by black
Species Behavior: their paper nest is constructed in and on man-made structures as well as on or in trees and shrubs
General Comments: the yellowjackets (although called hornet) that often build their large, oval nest in a tree
Species Identification: stout-bodied black wasps marked with white; male and female marks differ (dimorphic)
Species Behavior: adults are often found nectaring but also capture insect prey to feed pre-chewed to larvae
General Comments: introduced European species recorded in the late 1970s (Massachusetts) now occurring across N.A.
Species Identification: resembling a yellowjacket but note its thin "waist" typical of all paper wasps (Polistes spp.)
Species Behavior: lack of native predators may have accelerated its success; a threat to native wasps, perhaps butterflies
General Comments: adults take nectar and prey on larvae of various moths and butterflies to feed developing young
Species Identification: large, yellow mark on side of thorax, often brick red color throughout, and dark segments of antennae
Species Behavior: males are territorial (unusual in social wasps); nests characteristically built in sheltered locales
General Comments: common native paper wasp abundant and widespread in N.A.; often nests around human habitations
Species Identification: an extremely variable species with numerous forms with diverse colors and patterns
Species Behavior: emerging from hibernation a solitary queen establishes and dominates her colony of 200 or so workers
General Comments: queen V. flavopilosa may usurp the "starter colony" of a closely related species (social parasitism)
Species Identification: thoracic area with pairs of bold, yellow marks; v-shaped pattern of tergum #1
Species Behavior: while most nest sites are subterranean some, as in the video, are aerial
General Comments: the term "pest" reflects a human perspective and this wasp may be the pest at your picnic
Species Identification: tergum (a dorsal segment of abdomen) #1 shows a black triangle within the yellow at center line
Species Behavior: subterranean nests typical but nests may also occur in enclosed areas of various man-made structures
General Comments: wood wasps are symbiotic with a fungus with which they innoculate trees and on which larvae feed
Species Identification: female with two white head spots, white antennal segments, white banded legs
Species Behavior: hosts include a variety of conifers and cedars
General Comments: braconid wasps are parasatoids that often prey on the larvae of beetles, flies, and moths
Species Identification: braconid identification is a matter for experts but see references for useful sources
Species Behavior: many adult braconids transfer immunosuppressants to host larvae as a means to weaken their prey
General Comments: ichneumon wasps may comprise the largest animal family (60,000 - 100,00 species worldwide)
Species Identification: white bands on the apical edge of the abdominal segments - Andy Bennett; common in N.A.
Species Behavior: females typically prey on moth larvae
General Comments: the giant ichneumon wasp, aka "stump stabber," has an ovipositor nearly 4" long
Species Identification: there are four N.A. species of Megarhyssa, M. macrurus and M. greeni are similar
Species Behavior: this and 2 other N.A. Megarhyssa lay their eggs on the larvae of the pigeon horntail (Tremex columba)
General Comments: Ophion spp. are among the common ichneumon wasps of N. A.
Species Identification: pale yellow to reddish-brown with relative long antennae and legs and clear wings
Species Behavior: many are noctunal fliers and often come to artificial lights