Cerceris rufopicta

No distinguishing morphological features have been documented for C. rufopicta in the available sources. Other Cerceris species can be identified by facial markings (females typically have three yellow facial markings, males two) and prey associations found near nest entrances.

Nests in well-packed sandy soil in sunny, open areas. Based on congeneric patterns, likely prefers lightly vegetated soils such as those found in ball fields, dirt roads, playgrounds, and campsites.

North America. Documented from Canada (Manitoba) and the United States.

Solitary wasps dig underground nests, provision cells with paralyzed prey, lay eggs on the prey, and seal cells with soil plugs. Larvae develop by consuming the paralyzed prey, then pupate and emerge as adults the following season. This generalized life cycle pattern is well-documented for the genus but specific details for C. rufopicta are unknown.

Nests are typically aggregated in loose colonies. Wasps are diurnal hunters that capture prey using their sting to paralyze but not kill. Prey is transported back to the nest, carried upside down and head forward beneath the thorax, which produces a distinctive flight profile.

As a specialist predator, likely contributes to population regulation of its prey species. The genus Cerceris has been utilized for biosurveillance of invasive buprestid beetles, though C. fumipennis is the primary species used for this purpose.

• Cerceris fumipennisAlso a North American Cerceris species, but specializes almost exclusively on Buprestidae (jewel beetles) and is widely used for emerald ash borer biosurveillance. C. rufopicta prey preferences are unknown and may differ.
• Cerceris bicornisAnother North American congener that preys on weevils (Curculionidae) rather than beetles. Nest entrances may appear slightly larger, and weevils rather than beetles accumulate near burrow entrances.

• solitary wasp
• ground-nesting
• predator
• specialist
• Philanthinae
• North America
• Crabronidae
• Cerceris
• hymenoptera
• aculeata

• BugGuide
• Wikipedia
• GBIF taxonomy match
• iNaturalist taxon
• Catalogue of Life
• Working with Cerceris fumipennis—Part 2 | Beetles In The Bush
• Working with Cerceris fumipennis—Part 1 | Beetles In The Bush
• Hymenoptera | Beetles In The Bush | Page 6
• Wasp, Geographic Data Improve Surveillance for Emerald Ash Borer
• Predatory Wasps and Citizen Scientists are Taking on the Emerald Ash Borer
• ID Challenge #19 | Beetles In The Bush