Cerceris sextoides

Banks, 1947

weevil wasp

Cerceris sextoides is a solitary hunting in the Crabronidae that specializes in capturing weevils and other beetles to provision its underground nests. The is common in Pacific coast states from British Columbia to southern California, ranging inland through Idaho, northwest Utah, and northern Nevada. Males emerge before females and establish territories, often perching on vegetation to watch for competitors. Females paralyze prey with their sting and transport it back to burrows excavated in sandy clay or gravelly clay soil.

Pronunciation

How to pronounce Cerceris sextoides: /sɛrˈsɛrɪs sɛksˈtɔɪdiːz/

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Identification

Cerceris sextoides can be distinguished from similar Cerceris by its prey associations; it hunts weevils and beetles rather than jewel beetles (Buprestidae) like C. fumipennis or leaf beetles like some other . The species ranges from Lower Sonoran desert to high elevation Canadian life zones, overlapping with C. bicornis in some areas. Males may be confused with other philanthine in the field; close examination of facial markings and prey items near nests is required for confident identification.

Habitat

Sandy clay or gravelly clay soils in open, sunny areas. Found across diverse life zones from Lower Sonoran desert to high elevation Canadian .

Distribution

Pacific coast states from extreme south-central British Columbia through Washington, Oregon, and California. Inland distribution includes Idaho, northwest Utah, and northern Nevada.

Seasonality

Active from May to October.

Diet

females hunt weevils (Sitona californius, Trigonoscuta pilosa) and other beetles, paralyzing them with their sting to serve as food for larval offspring. Adult may also visit flowers for nectar.

Life Cycle

Solitary ground-nesting . Females excavate burrows in sandy or gravelly clay soil, provision them with paralyzed beetles, and lay on the prey. The horn-like process on the female likely assists in digging. Larvae develop by consuming the paralyzed prey. Males emerge before females to establish territories.

Behavior

Males are territorial, perching on vegetation and maintaining vigilant watch for potential competitors. They frequently fly out in pursuit of similarly-colored eumenid before resuming perches, often in different locations. Some Cerceris scent-mark territorial boundaries, though this has not been confirmed for C. sextoides males. Females actively hunt prey, paralyze it, and ferry it back to their burrows.

Ecological Role

of weevils and other beetles. May contribute to regulation of in its range.

Similar Taxa

Cerceris fumipennisAlso a Cerceris with similar nesting , but specializes on jewel beetles (Buprestidae) rather than weevils; facial markings and prey items differ
Cerceris bicornisWeevil found sympatrically; burrow entrances appear slightly larger on average, though this is not a consistent distinguishing character; prey items near nests confirm identity
Nomada beesCuckoo bees that resemble in appearance and can be mistaken for Cerceris in the field; lack the predatory and nest associations of Cerceris