Crabronidae
Guides
Saygorytes phaleratus
Saygorytes phaleratus is a species of sand wasp in the family Crabronidae. It is found in Central America and North America. The species was originally described by Thomas Say in 1837. As a member of the sand wasp group, it is likely associated with sandy habitats where it hunts for prey to provision its nest.
Sphenometopa tergata
satellite fly
Sphenometopa tergata is a satellite fly in the family Sarcophagidae, subfamily Miltogramminae. It is known to parasitize the nests of ant-queen kidnapping wasps in the genus Aphilanthops, particularly A. frigidus. The species has been observed loitering near nest aggregations of these solitary wasps, suggesting kleptoparasitic or parasitoid behavior. Its taxonomic history includes transfer from the genus Araba to Sphenometopa.
Steniolia
sand wasps
Steniolia is a genus of solitary sand wasps in the family Crabronidae, containing approximately 15 described species. All North American species are western in distribution, with four species extending only as far north as Mexico. Females are fossorial, constructing single-celled burrows in dry, powdery soil to provision with paralyzed flies. The genus is notable for ornate coloration, elongated mouthparts adapted for nectar feeding, and distinctive nightly sleeping clusters formed by both sexes.
Steniolia obliqua
Steniolia obliqua is a species of sand wasp in the family Crabronidae, originally described as Monedula obliqua by Cresson in 1865. It belongs to a genus of fourteen North American species, all with western distributions. Like other Steniolia species, it is a solitary wasp that hunts flies to provision underground nests for its larvae. The species has been recorded in British Columbia, Canada.
Stictia
horse guards, cowfly tigers, insecto policia
Stictia is a genus of large, often brightly colored predatory sand wasps comprising approximately 30 species, primarily distributed in the Neotropics. The genus is best known for Stictia carolina, commonly called the "Horse Guard," which specializes in hunting horse flies around livestock. Females construct solitary nests in sandy soil, provisioning them with paralyzed flies to feed their larvae. These wasps are valued for their biological control of pest flies, though they are not commercially available. Males engage in aerial patrols and "sun dances" to locate females.
Stictiella emarginata
sand wasp
Stictiella emarginata is a solitary sand wasp in the family Crabronidae, subfamily Bembicinae. It constructs nests in sandy soils and provisions cells with lepidopteran larvae, primarily Noctuidae and Hesperiidae. The species occurs across eastern North America from northern Michigan to the Atlantic Coast, with a flight season concentrated in late June through early August. Nesting behavior includes temporary nest closure, mound leveling, and orientation flights.
solitary-waspsand-waspnest-provisioninglepidopteran-predatoreastern-North-AmericaBembicinaeCrabronidaeHymenopterasandy-soil-habitattemporary-nest-closureorientation-flightmound-levelingNoctuidaeHesperiidaelate-summer-flight-seasonOntarioMichiganNew-Yorksand-prairieinsect-predatorground-nesting-waspsand-blowout-habitatCanadian-Forces-Base-BordenSimcoe-CountyCresson-1865emarginate-clypeusdisjunct-distribution-misconceptiongeographic-bridgemuseum-recordsfield-studiesnest-architectureprey-transportprovisioning-behaviorcell-constructionprey-storagelarval-developmentsolitary-HymenopteraApoideaSpheciformesAculeataApocritaHexapodaArthropodaInsectaAnimaliaEukaryotaCatalogue-of-LifeGBIFiNaturalistCanadian-Field-NaturalistKurczewskiBoyle2005KrombeinWillinkGillaspyBohartEvansMatthewsPateTimberlakeCooperHallIrwinSchlingerBallmerYanegaUCR-Entomology-Research-MuseumBembicid-HoldingsNyssonidaeBembicidaeBembiciniStictiellinaStictiellaStictiella-emarginataStictiella-bohartiStictiella-corniculataStictiella-evansiStictiella-fergusoniStictiella-flavescensStictiella-pulchellaStictiella-pulchella-serrataStictiella-p.-pulchellaXerostictiaMicrostictiaGlenostictiaStenioliaBembixBicyrtesEdithaMicrobembexRubricaStenogorytesStizusBembecinusStizoidesGorytesArgogorytesArigorytesClitemnestraHarpactusHoplisoidesLestiphorusMegistommumOryttusPsammaletesPseudoplisusSagenistaSpheciusTanyoprymnusTrichogorytesXerogorytesAlyssonDidineisAmmatomusAfrogorytesHapalomellinusNyssonEpinyssonFoxiaHyponyssonLosadaMetanyssonZanyssonAcanthostethusStictiella formosa
sand wasp
Stictiella formosa is a species of sand wasp in the family Crabronidae, subfamily Bembicinae. It is distributed across Central America and North America. As a member of the Bembicini tribe, it is likely associated with sandy habitats, though specific ecological details are poorly documented in available sources.
Stictiella villegasi
Algodones Sand Wasp
Stictiella villegasi, commonly known as the Algodones Sand Wasp, is a species of sand wasp in the family Crabronidae (formerly Bembicidae). It is endemic to the Algodones Dunes in North America, indicating a highly restricted geographic range. The species was described by R. Bohart in 1982.
Stizoides
Stizoides is a genus of kleptoparasitic sand wasps in the family Crabronidae, containing approximately 30 described species globally. The genus is notable for its unique parasitic strategy: females exploit the food caches of other solitary wasps rather than hunting their own prey. Two species occur in North America—S. renicinctus (widespread in western North America) and S. foxi (restricted to Arizona and Mexico). Most species are found in Africa, Mediterranean Europe, the Middle East, and India.
Stizoides foxi
Fox's stizoide
Stizoides foxi is a kleptoparasitic sand wasp in the family Crabronidae, one of only two Stizoides species occurring in North America. This species is restricted to Arizona and southward into Mexico, where it parasitizes the food caches of other solitary wasps. Like its congener S. renicinctus, females locate and excavate the burrows of host wasps, destroy the host egg, and replace it with their own egg to exploit the provisioned prey. The species was described by Gillaspy in 1963 and remains poorly known compared to its more widespread relative.
Stizoides renicinctus
Stizoides renicinctus is a kleptoparasitic sand wasp in the family Crabronidae, one of only two species in its genus occurring in North America. The species has no common English name. It is known for its distinctive black body with a red or orange band on the second abdominal tergite, dark wings with translucent tips, and elongate build. Males are frequently observed visiting flowers for nectar, while females actively seek out the burrows of host wasps to exploit their food stores. The species exhibits unusual social behaviors including nighttime sleeping clusters and weather-related aggregations.
Stizus brevipennis
Stizus brevipennis is a species of sand wasp in the family Crabronidae (formerly placed in Bembicidae). It was described by Walsh in 1869 and is found in North America. The species has been documented in at least 128 observations on iNaturalist and has been collected in fermenting bait traps in Missouri.
Stizus texanus
Stizus texanus is a species of sand wasp in the family Crabronidae, first described by Cresson in 1873. It belongs to the tribe Stizini within the subfamily Bembicinae. The species is distributed in North America and Middle America, with museum holdings documented from the UCR Entomology Research Museum. As a member of the Crabronidae, it is likely a predatory wasp, though specific biological details for this species remain poorly documented in available sources.
Tachysphex
square-headed wasps, digger wasps
Tachysphex is a large genus of solitary wasps in the family Crabronidae, comprising over 450 described species worldwide. These diminutive insects, typically 6–10 mm in length, are ground-nesting predators that provision their nests with paralyzed orthopteran prey. The genus exhibits remarkable diversity across multiple continents, with species groups showing distinct ecological preferences and host associations.
Tachysphex pompiliformis
Tachysphex pompiliformis is a small digger wasp in the family Crabronidae. The species was taxonomically redefined in 2016 when Straka demonstrated that the name had been misapplied to at least 14 similar species in Europe and Turkey. Four former synonyms were restored to species status: T. austriacus, T. dimidiatus, T. jokischianus, and T. nigripennis. As a result of this revision, the precise distribution and biological details of the true T. pompiliformis remain uncertain pending review of voucher specimens. The species belongs to the pompiliformis species-group, the most species-rich group within Tachysphex in Iran.
Tachysphex terminatus
Tachysphex terminatus is a small solitary wasp in the family Crabronidae, part of a species group characterized by specific nesting behaviors in sandy substrates. Females construct individual burrows with multiple cells, provisioned with paralyzed prey for larval development. The species occurs in North America and shares the genus-wide trait of provisioning nests with orthopteran prey, primarily grasshopper nymphs.
Tachytes amazonus
Tachytes amazonus is a solitary wasp in the family Crabronidae, tribe Larrini, described by F. Smith in 1856. The species is distributed across the Americas from the Caribbean through Central and South America, with records in Brazil across multiple states including Amazonas, Bahia, Espírito Santo, Goiás, Minas Gerais, Mato Grosso do Sul, Mato Grosso, Roraima, Rio Grande do Sul, and São Paulo. Like other members of the genus Tachytes, it is a ground-nesting wasp that provisions its burrows with paralyzed orthopteran prey.
Tachytes aurulentus
square-headed wasp, green-eyed wasp, sand-loving wasp
Tachytes aurulentus is a species of solitary square-headed wasp in the family Crabronidae. Like other members of its genus, it is characterized by notably large green eyes, particularly in males. The species is part of a diverse North American assemblage of approximately 35 Tachytes species. These wasps are ground-nesting predators that provision their burrows with paralyzed orthopteran prey for their offspring.
Tachytes crassus
Tachytes crassus is a species of square-headed wasp in the family Crabronidae, first described by Patton in 1880. It is one of approximately 35 North American species in the genus Tachytes, a group commonly referred to as "green-eyed wasps" due to the striking eye coloration of many species. The species is found in North America, with records from Canada including Ontario. As with other members of the genus, it is a solitary wasp that nests in soil and provisions its burrows with paralyzed orthopteran prey.
Tachytes distinctus
green-eyed wasp, square-headed wasp
Tachytes distinctus is a solitary square-headed wasp in the family Crabronidae, notable for the large green eyes characteristic of many larger Tachytes species. Females excavate underground burrows with branching tunnels and multiple cells, provisioning them with paralyzed orthopteran prey. Males emerge before females and defend territories from perches, using their prominent eyes to detect mates and rivals. The species occurs across North America and the Caribbean.
Tachytes grisselli
Tachytes grisselli is a species of square-headed wasp in the family Crabronidae, tribe Larrini. The genus Tachytes comprises approximately 35 species in North America north of Mexico, commonly referred to as 'green-eyed wasps' due to the large, vivid green eyes of many larger species. Members of this genus are solitary, ground-nesting wasps that provision their burrows with paralyzed orthopteran prey.
Tachytes guatemalensis
Guatemalan green-eyed wasp
Tachytes guatemalensis is a solitary wasp in the family Crabronidae, tribe Larrini. It belongs to a genus commonly known as 'green-eyed wasps' due to the large, vivid green compound eyes present in many species, especially males. As with other Tachytes, this species is a ground-nesting predator that provisions its burrows with paralyzed orthopteran prey. The species was described from Guatemala and occurs in Central and North America.
Tachytes pennsylvanicus
square-headed wasp
Tachytes pennsylvanicus is a solitary square-headed wasp in the family Crabronidae. It belongs to a genus commonly known as "green-eyed wasps" due to the distinctive large green eyes of males and larger species. Like other Tachytes, it is a ground-nesting predator that provisions its burrows with paralyzed orthopteran prey. The species was described by Banks in 1921 and occurs in North America.
Tachytes sayi
Tachytes sayi is a solitary wasp in the family Crabronidae, tribe Larrini. It is one of approximately 35 North American species in the genus Tachytes. These wasps are characterized by large, often green eyes in males, and are commonly referred to as 'green-eyed wasps' or 'sand-loving wasps.' Females excavate burrows in soil to provision with paralyzed orthopteran prey for their larvae.
Tachytes validus
square-headed wasp
Tachytes validus is a solitary square-headed wasp in the family Crabronidae, described by Cresson in 1873. As a member of the genus Tachytes, it shares the tribe Larrini's characteristic reduced ocelli appearing as 'scars' with golf club-shaped tails. The species is native to North America, with confirmed records from Canada including Manitoba. Like other Tachytes, it likely exhibits the genus's distinctive green eyes in larger individuals and ground-nesting behavior, though specific biological details for this species remain limited in published literature.
Tanyoprymnus
Tanyoprymnus is a genus of digger wasps in the family Crabronidae, subfamily Bembicinae. The genus was established by Cameron in 1905. The best-known species is Tanyoprymnus moneduloides (Packard), which has been studied for its nesting biology. Members of this genus are solitary wasps that construct nests in soil.
Tanyoprymnus moneduloides
Tanyoprymnus moneduloides is a species of sand wasp in the family Crabronidae, subfamily Bembicinae. The species has been the subject of dedicated nesting biology research, with a 1981 study documenting its nest architecture and provisioning behavior. It is present in North America and Middle America according to distribution records. The species was originally described by Packard in 1867.
Tracheliodes
Tracheliodes is a genus of solitary wasps in the family Crabronidae. Species are distributed across Europe, Africa, and North America. The genus was established by A. Morawitz in 1866.
Trypoxylon carinatum
Trypoxylon carinatum is a species of solitary spider-hunting wasp in the family Crabronidae. As a member of the subgenus Trypargilum, it is among the larger species in the genus. Like other Trypoxylon, females nest in pre-existing cavities and provision cells with paralyzed spiders for their offspring. The species is distributed across North America and Middle America.
Trypoxylon clavatum clavatum
Trypoxylon clavatum clavatum is a subspecies of spider-hunting wasp in the family Crabronidae. It belongs to the subgenus Trypargilum, characterized by medium to large body size within the genus. The wasp nests in pre-existing cavities such as hollow twigs, beetle borings, and abandoned mud dauber nests, provisioning cells with paralyzed spiders for its larvae. Males actively participate in nest guarding and maintenance, a behavior termed 'patriarchate' by naturalist Phil Rau.
Trypoxylon clavatum johannis
Trypoxylon clavatum johannis is a subspecies of spider-hunting wasp in the family Crabronidae. It belongs to the subgenus Trypargilum, which comprises medium-sized to large species within the genus. Like other members of Trypoxylon, this wasp nests in pre-existing cavities and provisions its cells with paralyzed spiders. The subspecies was described by Richards in 1934 and is distributed in North America, with records from Ontario, Canada.
Trypoxylon collinum
square-headed wasp
Trypoxylon collinum is a species of square-headed wasp in the family Crabronidae. It occurs in North America and nests inside hollow tubes. The species was described by F. Smith in 1856. Two subspecies are recognized: T. c. collinum and T. c. rubrocinctum.
Trypoxylon collinum rubrocinctum
Trypoxylon collinum rubrocinctum is a subspecies of potter wasp in the family Crabronidae. It is native to North America, with confirmed records from Ontario, Canada. As a member of the genus Trypoxylon, it is presumed to construct mud nests provisioned with paralyzed spiders, though specific biological details for this subspecies remain poorly documented. The subspecies was described by Packard in 1867.
Trypoxylon politum
Pipe Organ Mud Dauber, Organ-pipe Mud-dauber Wasp
Trypoxylon politum is a large, solitary spider-hunting wasp and the only North American member of its genus that constructs free-standing mud nests rather than using pre-existing cavities. Its distinctive nest consists of multiple parallel tubular mud columns resembling organ pipes, with each tube internally partitioned into several cells provisioned with paralyzed spiders. The species exhibits cooperative behavior between sexes: males defend nests against parasites and rival males while females hunt and construct. Native to eastern North America, it has shown recent range expansion westward into Colorado and coexists with other mud dauber species.
Trypoxylon spinosum
Black Reed Wasp
Trypoxylon spinosum is a species of solitary spider-hunting wasp in the family Crabronidae. As a member of the subgenus Trypargilum, it is among the larger-bodied species in the genus. Like other Trypoxylon wasps, it nests in pre-existing cavities and provisions cells with paralyzed spiders for its offspring. The species was described by Cameron in 1889 and is known from Middle and North America.
Trypoxylon tridentatum
Trypoxylon tridentatum is a spider-hunting wasp in the family Crabronidae, subgenus Trypargilum. It inhabits mesic and xeric habitats in arid regions, particularly the Baja California peninsula. The wasp provisions nest cells with paralyzed spiders as food for its larvae, showing strong preference for orb-weaving spiders in the family Araneidae. Unlike its congener T. politum, which constructs free-standing mud nests, T. tridentatum nests in pre-existing cavities such as hollow twigs, beetle borings, and abandoned mud dauber nests.
Trypoxylon tridentatum archboldi
Trypoxylon tridentatum archboldi is a subspecies of spider-hunting wasp in the family Crabronidae. As a member of the subgenus Trypargilum, it belongs to a group of medium-sized to large Trypoxylon species that nest in pre-existing cavities rather than constructing free-standing mud nests. The species was described by Krombein in 1959 and is known from North America, with records from British Columbia, Canada. Like other Trypargilum species, it likely exhibits cooperative nesting behavior with males participating in nest guarding and maintenance, though specific behavioral documentation for this subspecies is limited.
Zanysson
Zanysson is a strictly New World genus of digger wasps in the family Crabronidae, subfamily Bembicinae. The genus was established by Rohwer in 1921 and remained taxonomically stagnant for over 80 years until the description of Z. gemmatus from Colombia in 2007. Members are assumed to be cleptoparasites of other crabronid wasps, though direct biological observations are lacking for most species. The genus includes at least three described species distributed from the southwestern United States through Mexico to northwestern South America.
Zanysson plesius
Zanysson plesius is a species of wasp in the family Crabronidae, subfamily Bembicinae, first described by Rohwer in 1921. It belongs to the tribe Nyssonini, a group of sand wasps. The species is part of a genus containing at least three recognized species in North America, including Z. texanus and its subspecies. Specimens have been documented in museum collections, including holdings at the UCR Entomology Research Museum.
Zanysson texanus
Zanysson texanus is a species of wasp in the family Crabronidae, subfamily Bembicinae. It was originally described as Nysson texanus by Cresson in 1873. The genus Zanysson belongs to the tribe Nyssonini, a group of solitary wasps commonly known as cuckoo wasps or kleptoparasitic wasps that typically exploit the nests of other wasps. The species epithet 'texanus' indicates a Texas association, likely referring to the type locality or primary distribution.