Grass-carrier
Guides
Isodontia
Grass-carrying Wasps, Grass-carrier Wasps
Isodontia is a genus of solitary wasps in the family Sphecidae, commonly known as grass-carrying wasps. Females construct nests in pre-existing cavities such as hollow stems, window tracks, or abandoned beetle tunnels, lining them with dry grass or hay. They provision nests with paralyzed Orthoptera (tree crickets and katydids) as food for their larvae. Several species are invasive in Europe, with Isodontia mexicana being the most widespread non-native species.
Isodontia exornata
grass-carrier wasp
Isodontia exornata is a solitary thread-waisted wasp in the family Sphecidae, commonly known as a grass-carrier wasp. Females construct nests using dry grass in pre-existing cavities such as window tracks, hollow stems, or abandoned insect tunnels. They provision each nest cell with paralyzed tree crickets or katydids as food for their larvae. The species is part of the genus Isodontia, which includes several North American species that have adapted to suburban environments by utilizing human-made structures for nesting.