Tachytes

Panzer, 1806

green-eyed wasps, sand-loving wasps

Species Guides

10

Tachytes is a of solitary predatory in the Crabronidae, comprising approximately 300 worldwide. are distinguished by their often large green , particularly prominent in males, and a generally robust, -like appearance. Females excavate burrows in soil to provision with paralyzed Orthoptera, while males exhibit territorial perching and, in some species, at elevated sites to locate mates.

Tachytes by (c) Owen Strickland, some rights reserved (CC BY), uploaded by Owen Strickland. Used under a CC-BY license.Tachytes guatemalensis by (c) Rebecca Gimenez Husted, some rights reserved (CC BY), uploaded by Rebecca Gimenez Husted. Used under a CC-BY license.Tachytes guatemalensis by (c) Louise Woodrich, some rights reserved (CC BY), uploaded by Louise Woodrich. Used under a CC-BY license.

Pronunciation

How to pronounce Tachytes: //ˈtæk.ɪ.tiːz//

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

Identification

Look for the combination of green (in many ), robust black body, and relatively stocky build. Distinguish from similar in tribe Larrini: Liris has longer, straighter held parallel to the and a more slender, silvery appearance; Tachysphex is usually smaller with more pointed , often with red coloration; Tachytes moves more rapidly than Liris. Ocellar scars shaped like golf clubs with long tails are a technical diagnostic feature. Species-level identification typically requires examination of male genitalia.

Images

Habitat

Varied soil types for nesting, including sand; open areas such as prairies, fields, and degraded shortgrass prairie; some utilize pre-existing burrows of rodents, lizards, or other ; hilltop sites with sparse vegetation, rocks, and bare ground used by some species for mate location

Distribution

Worldwide distribution throughout temperate and tropical regions; in North America, 35 occur north of Mexico

Seasonality

Active during warmer months; males typically emerge before females; some observed in early spring; documented during summer months in southern Arizona

Diet

feed on nectar and honeydew from scale insects; females provision nests with paralyzed Orthoptera including grasshoppers (Acrididae), katydids (Tettigoniidae), pygmy grasshoppers (Tetrigidae), and pygmy mole crickets (Tridactylidae); one , Tachytes bidens, reportedly preys on geometer moths

Life Cycle

Females excavate burrows 7 cm to nearly 1 m in length, 7.5–70 cm deep, with multiple arranged along the main shaft or at ends of branching tunnels; cells provisioned with 1–13 paralyzed prey items; laid on final prey item; larva consumes prey during development; some work at night

Behavior

Females hunt Orthoptera, paralyzing victims with sting, then transport prey by grasping with jaws and flying or carrying overland to nest; males employ territorial perching on stones, leaves, flowers, or twigs, returning repeatedly to same perch; courtship involves male pouncing on female, pinning wings, and waving antennae over female's ; mating occurs if female receptive; some exhibit where males aggregate at elevated sites, patrol for females, and engage in physical interactions with rival males

Ecological Role

of Orthoptera, potentially contributing to regulation of and ; serve as when visiting flowers for nectar

Human Relevance

Generally not aggressive toward humans; solitary nature means they do not defend colonies; may be observed in gardens and natural areas; occasionally mistaken for bees or more aggressive

Similar Taxa

  • LirisSimilar tribe (Larrini), but Liris has longer held parallel to , more slender silvery appearance, and moves more slowly
  • TachysphexSimilar tribe, but usually smaller with more pointed , often with red coloration, and distinct
  • SphexBoth are solitary hunting that provision nests with paralyzed prey, but Sphex belongs to different (Sphecidae) and has different body proportions and coloration

Sources and further reading