Sphex tepanecus
de Saussure, 1867
Sphex tepanecus is a of thread-waisted digger wasp in the Sphecidae. It is a large solitary known from the western United States, with records from Arizona, Colorado, and potentially Idaho. Like other members of the Sphex, it constructs subterranean nests and provisions them with paralyzed prey for its larvae. The species was first described by de Saussure in 1867.
Pronunciation
How to pronounce Sphex tepanecus: /sfɛks tɛˈpænɛkəs/
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Identification
Sphex tepanecus is notably large for the , with individuals reaching sizes comparable to or exceeding the largest Sceliphron caementarium. Based on a blog comment identification, the is characterized by its large size and black and red coloration in females. It can be distinguished from the similar Sphex ichneumoneus (Great Golden Digger) by differences in coloration and . Separation from other large black and red such as tarantula hawks (Pepsis, Hemipepsis) requires careful examination; Sphex species lack the iridescent blue-black coloration typical of many Pepsis and have different wing venation.
Habitat
Based on recorded observations, the occurs in arid and semi-arid environments of the southwestern United States, including desert and grassland in Arizona and Colorado.
Distribution
United States: Arizona, Colorado, and potentially Idaho and Oklahoma. The has also been recorded from Mexico (implied by the specific epithet 'tepanecus,' referencing the Tepanec people of central Mexico). GBIF records indicate presence in Middle America.
Diet
As a member of the Sphex, females are presumed to hunt orthopteran prey (grasshoppers or katydids) to provision subterranean nests, paralyzing prey with their sting as food for larvae. This has been explicitly confirmed for but not directly documented for S. tepanecus.
Life Cycle
Solitary. Females construct individual subterranean nests, excavating burrows in soil and provisioning with paralyzed prey. Multiple cells per nest are typical for the . Larvae develop on the stored prey, with one larva per cell.
Behavior
Females exhibit nesting , digging burrows and provisioning them with hunted prey. Males may perch on vegetation to watch for females, as documented in . The avoids contact with humans and is not aggressive toward people.
Ecological Role
As a of orthopterans, the contributes to of grasshoppers and katydids. As a solitary , it does not provide eusocial pollination services but may incidentally visit flowers for nectar.
Human Relevance
The is not aggressive toward humans and avoids contact. Its large size may cause alarm, but it poses minimal sting risk unless handled. It contributes to of orthopteran in its range.
Similar Taxa
- Sphex ichneumoneusSimilar size and general appearance, but distinguished by golden and bi-colored (orange and black) versus the coloration pattern of S. tepanecus
- Sphex pensylvanicusLarge black in same , but lacks red abdominal coloration; all black with blue wing reflections
- Sphex lucaeWestern with black females having red , but S. lucae is smaller and has yellowish or violaceous wings versus different wing coloration in S. tepanecus
- Pepsis spp.Tarantula hawks are similarly large with aposematic coloration, but have iridescent blue-black bodies and different wing venation; more robust build with different prey specialization (spiders)
- Hemipepsis spp.Tarantula hawks with matte black coloration rather than iridescent, but distinguished by wing venation and different body proportions; males exhibit territorial landmark defense not documented in Sphex