Tachytes sayi

Banks, 1942

Tachytes sayi is a solitary in the Crabronidae, tribe Larrini. It is one of approximately 35 North American in the Tachytes. These wasps are characterized by large, often green in males, and are commonly referred to as 'green-eyed wasps' or 'sand-loving wasps.' Females excavate burrows in soil to provision with paralyzed orthopteran prey for their larvae.

Pronunciation

How to pronounce Tachytes sayi: //ˈtæk.ɪˌtiːz ˈsaɪ.aɪ//

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Identification

Tachytes sayi can be distinguished from other Tachytes and similar crabronid by dissection of male genitalia, which serve as a species-specific 'lock and key' mechanism to prevent cross-breeding. Males have large that meet at the top of the , and ocellar scars shaped like golf clubs with long 'tails' running partway down the head. The is generally stockier than Liris, with proportionally shorter , and males frequently have bright green unlike Tachysphex.

Habitat

Females excavate burrows in various soil types, including sandy soils. Nests may be dug just inside entrances of burrows made by other organisms such as rodents, lizards, or cicada killer . Burrow tunnels range from 7 centimeters to nearly one meter in length, reaching depths of 7.5 to 70 centimeters.

Distribution

North America. Distribution records indicate presence in Canada (Alberta) and the United States. The Tachytes is widespread across North America north of Mexico.

Diet

feed on flower nectar and honeydew from scale insects. Females provision nest with paralyzed grasshoppers (Acrididae), pygmy grasshoppers (Tetrigidae), nymphs (Tettigoniidae), or pygmy mole crickets (Tridactylidae).

Life Cycle

Females excavate underground burrows with multiple arranged along the main shaft or at ends of branching tunnels. Each cell receives 1-13 paralyzed orthopteran prey items, with an laid on the last victim. Larvae develop on the provisioned prey. At least one in the is known to work at night.

Behavior

Males employ two strategies to find mates: initially defending territories near female sites, later defending territories around nesting sites and nectar resources such as isolated flowering trees. Males perch on stones, leaves, flowers, or twigs to scan for females or rival males. When a female is encountered, the male pounces on her back, pinning her wings, and waves his frantically over her during courtship. Males return repeatedly to the same perch or nearby perches when defending territories.

Ecological Role

of orthopteran insects (grasshoppers, crickets, katydids). Acts as a agent for these herbivorous insects. contribute to pollination through nectar feeding.

Human Relevance

Generally docile and rarely interacts aggressively with humans. Females sting only prey items; males cannot sting. Occasionally nests in residential areas with suitable soil conditions, sometimes causing minor concern due to burrowing activity.

Similar Taxa

  • LirisLiris has proportionally longer held parallel and straight from the , is less stocky, and females lack the strong green coloration common in Tachytes males. Liris also moves more slowly and has a silvery appearance from reflective hairs.
  • TachysphexTachysphex is usually considerably smaller than Tachytes, often with the entirely or partially red, and terminates in a very pointed . Tachysphex lacks the large green characteristic of many Tachytes males.

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