Gorytina

Lepeletier, 1845

Genus Guides

Gorytes(sand wasps)
Hapalomellinus
Harpactus(Snatching Sand Wasps)
Hoplisoides(sand wasps)
Lestiphorus
Psammaletes
Saygorytes

Gorytina is a subtribe of digger wasps within the tribe Bembicini, Crabronidae. These are solitary and typically nest in soil, with many specializing on particular prey types. The subtribe includes approximately 20 distributed globally, with notable diversity in North America. Members are distinguished from other Bembicini by morphological features of the and .

Stizus texanus by (c) John Rosford, some rights reserved (CC BY), uploaded by John Rosford. Used under a CC-BY license.

Hoplisoides semipunctatus by no rights reserved, uploaded by Ken Kneidel. Used under a CC0 license.

Hoplisoides by (c) Bill Keim, some rights reserved (CC BY). Used under a CC-BY license.

Pronunciation

How to pronounce Gorytina: /ɡɔˈrɪtɪna/

These audio files are automatically generated. While they are not always 100% accurate, they are a good starting point.

Identification

Gorytina can be distinguished from other subtribes of Bembicini (Bembicina, Exeirina, Stizina) by the structure of the and , though precise diagnostic characters require examination of preserved specimens. The subtribe is explicitly excluded from some regional inventories due to its distinct requiring separate treatment.

Images

Distribution

Global distribution with documented in North America, including the southwestern United States and Mexico, as well as other regions. Specific range data for the subtribe as a whole is not consolidated in available sources.

Behavior

Members are solitary digger wasps that construct nests in soil. Prey specialization patterns vary among included , with some known to provision nests with particular insect groups.

Similar Taxa

BembicinaAnother subtribe of Bembicini; distinguished by clypeal and labral , with Gorytina often requiring separate taxonomic treatment in regional studies
StizinaAnother subtribe of Bembicini; includes such as Stizus and Bembecinus, which differ from Gorytina in nesting and morphological details

More Details

Taxonomic Note

Gorytina was established by Lepeletier in 1845. The subtribe has been treated as requiring separate study in some regional faunistic works, as noted in the Rio de Janeiro inventory which explicitly deferred treatment of this group.

Collection Holdings

The UCR Entomology Research Museum holds extensive collections of Bembicidae, including numerous Gorytina specimens. Holdings include at least 10 newly-discovered, undescribed species from the US and Mexico, indicating ongoing taxonomic work in this group.