Cerceris convergens

Viereck & Cockerell, 1904

Cerceris convergens is a solitary digger wasp in the Crabronidae. Like other members of the Cerceris, it constructs underground nests and provisions them with paralyzed insect prey for its larvae. The is distributed across North America and Middle America. While specific prey preferences for C. convergens are not documented in the provided sources, exhibit strong prey specialization—C. fumipennis specializes on Buprestidae (jewel beetles), and C. bicornis specializes on weevils.

Pronunciation

How to pronounce Cerceris convergens: /sɛrˈsɛ.rɪs kənˈvɜːrdʒɛnz/

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Habitat

Sandy or sandy-clay soils suitable for burrow excavation. Related Cerceris nest in lightly vegetated, sparsely vegetated ground such as practice fields, ball fields, and dirt roads.

Distribution

North America; Middle America

Behavior

Solitary nesting with females digging burrows 10–15 cm deep with circular, pencil-wide entrances surrounded by symmetrical mounds of fine-textured diggings. Females provision nests with paralyzed prey. Males exhibit faster, more erratic patterns compared to females carrying prey.

Similar Taxa

Cerceris fumipennisSimilar burrow architecture (circular, pencil-sized entrances with symmetrical diggings), but C. fumipennis specializes almost exclusively on Buprestidae and has smoky wings; prey type found at nest entrances distinguishes the two .
Cerceris bicornisNearly identical burrow appearance, but slightly larger entrances on average and provisions nests with weevils rather than beetles; appears faster and more powerful than C. fumipennis.
Bembix americanaBurrows may be confused with Cerceris, but enter ground at an angle rather than straight down, have asymmetrically distributed diggings, and are consistently found in sandier substrates.
Cicindelidia punctulata (larval burrows)Tiger larval burrows are straight and round but slightly smaller (about 5 mm diameter), have a subtle 'D' shape with beveled rim, and lack diggings around entrance.