Sphex jamaicensis

(Drury, 1773)

Jamaican Digger Wasp

Sphex jamaicensis is a solitary thread-waisted wasp in the Sphecidae. It is known from Florida, Cuba, the Bahamas, and Jamaica. Like other members of the Sphex, females are diggers that construct burrows in soil. The was originally described by Drury in 1773 in the genus Vespa, creating a complex nomenclatural history involving a secondary homonym with a later Fabricius 1775 description.

Sphex jamaicensis by (c) Jean-Lou Justine, some rights reserved (CC BY), uploaded by Jean-Lou Justine. Used under a CC-BY license.Sphex jamaicensis, Crocodile Lake National Wildlife Refuge, Key Largo, Florida by Judy Gallagher. Used under a CC BY 2.0 license.Sphex jamaicensis - Fairchild Tropical Gardens, Coral Gables, Florida by Judy Gallagher. Used under a CC BY 2.0 license.

Pronunciation

How to pronounce Sphex jamaicensis: //sfɛks d͡ʒəˌmeɪˈsɛnsɪs//

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Distribution

Found in Florida, Cuba (including Isla de la Juventud), the Bahamas, and Jamaica.

Behavior

Females excavate burrows in soil for nesting. As with other Sphex , females are known to hunt orthopteran prey (katydids and related insects), paralyze them with venom, and provision nest as food for larval offspring.

Ecological Role

As a of orthopteran insects, this contributes to of katydids and related insects in its native range.

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Sources and further reading