Ground-nesting
Guides
Stictiella
Butterfly-wolf Wasps, sand wasps
Stictiella is a genus of sand wasps in the family Crabronidae, established by J. Parker in 1917. The genus comprises at least 14 described species distributed across North America. These solitary wasps are ground-nesting diggers that provision their nests with prey. The common name "Butterfly-wolf Wasps" reflects their documented habit of preying on lepidopteran larvae, particularly skippers (Hesperiidae) and noctuid moths (Noctuidae).
Stictiellina
Stictiellina is a subtribe of sand wasps in the family Crabronidae, containing at least 60 described species distributed across six genera. These wasps are solitary, ground-nesting predators that provision their burrows with paralyzed flies for their larval offspring. Members are known for their elongated mouthparts adapted for nectar feeding and are often observed visiting flowers. The subtribe was established by Bohart and Horning in 1971.
Stizus
sand wasps
Stizus is a genus of sand wasps in the family Crabronidae, containing over 100 species distributed across Europe, Africa, and North America. These solitary wasps are typically yellow and black, rarely reddish, and reach lengths of about 34 mm. Species nest in sandy soils and provision burrows with prey, primarily grasshoppers, to feed their larvae. Some species form nesting aggregations where males defend territories and engage in contest behavior to gain mating access to females.
Svastra
long-horned bees
Svastra is a genus of long-horned bees in the family Apidae, tribe Eucerini. These solitary, ground-nesting bees are native to North America and are important pollinators of sunflowers and other members of the Asteraceae family. The genus has undergone taxonomic revision, with North American species formerly placed in Svastra now moved to Epimelissodes. Females construct nests in hard-packed soil with cells arranged in spiral patterns, while males are known to form nighttime sleeping aggregations on vegetation.
Svastra minima
Svastra minima is a small species of long-horned bee in the family Apidae, tribe Eucerini. The species was described by LaBerge in 1956 and is known from Middle America. Like other members of the genus Svastra, it is a solitary, ground-nesting bee. Specific details about its biology and ecology remain limited in published literature.
Svastra obliqua caliginosa
long-horned bee
Svastra obliqua caliginosa is a subspecies of long-horned bee in the family Apidae. It is native to North and Middle America. As a member of the Eucerini tribe, it exhibits traits typical of long-horned bees including elongated antennae in males and ground-nesting behavior. The species Svastra obliqua is known to be associated with sunflowers and members of the Asteraceae family.
Svastra obliqua obliqua
Svastra obliqua obliqua is a subspecies of long-horned bee in the family Apidae. It belongs to a group of solitary, ground-nesting bees native to North America. The species is closely related to other Svastra taxa and shares behavioral traits with the broader long-horned bee group, including male sleeping aggregations on vegetation.
Svastra sabinensis sabinensis
A subspecies of long-horned bee in the tribe Eucerini. Females are solitary ground-nesters that construct individual burrows. Males have been observed forming sleeping aggregations on vegetation at night. The subspecies occurs in parts of Middle and North America.
Syntrichalonia exquisita
Exquisite Longhorn, Exquisite Long-horned Bee
Syntrichalonia exquisita is a species of long-horned bee in the family Apidae, commonly known as the exquisite long-horned bee. It belongs to the tribe Eucerini, a group characterized by elongated antennae, particularly in males. The species occurs across Central and North America. Like other eucerine bees, it is likely solitary and ground-nesting, though specific biological details remain poorly documented.
Tachypompilus ferrugineus
rusty spider wasp, red-tailed spider hunter, red-tailed spider wasp
Tachypompilus ferrugineus is a large spider wasp (family Pompilidae) native to the Americas, ranging from Canada through the United States to Central and South America. Adults measure 15–25 mm in length and are characterized by reddish-brown coloration with four narrow dark abdominal bands and distinctive violet-blue wings. Females hunt and paralyze large wandering spiders, particularly wolf spiders (Lycosidae), to provision underground nests for their larvae. Males exhibit perching behavior on elevated structures and compete for access to females. The species includes nine recognized subspecies with variable geographic distributions.
Tachypompilus unicolor cerinus
Tachypompilus unicolor cerinus is a subspecies of spider wasp in the family Pompilidae, described by Evans in 1966. It belongs to a genus known for hunting large spiders, particularly wolf spiders and fishing spiders, which are paralyzed and provisioned as food for larval offspring. The subspecies is part of the widespread T. unicolor complex, which exhibits considerable geographic variation across North America. Like other members of its genus, it is solitary and ground-nesting.
Tachypompilus unicolor unicolor
A spider wasp subspecies in the family Pompilidae. Members of the genus Tachypompilus are solitary, ground-nesting wasps that provision their nests with paralyzed spiders as food for their larvae. This subspecies was described by Banks in 1919.
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 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 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 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 intermedius
square-headed wasp
Tachytes intermedius is a species of square-headed wasp in the family Crabronidae, distributed across Central America and North America. As a member of the genus Tachytes, it shares the characteristic large green eyes found in many larger species of this group. The species was described by Viereck in 1906. Like other Tachytes, it is a solitary wasp that nests in soil and provisions its burrows with paralyzed orthopteran prey.
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.
Trachusa perdita
California leafcutting bee, California Resin-Leafcutter
Trachusa perdita is a solitary leafcutting bee native to California, belonging to the family Megachilidae. Females construct underground nests in hillsides, lining brood cells with leaves collected from Buckthorn shrubs. The species is notable for its distinctive nesting behavior and specific host-plant relationship for nest construction materials.
Trachypus
bee-hunting wasp
Trachypus is a Neotropical genus of digger wasps in the family Crabronidae, comprising 31 described species. Species are ground-nesting and may be solitary or communal. The genus is notable for its specialized predation on bees, with some species exhibiting narrow prey specialization on stingless bees (Meliponini). Trachypus species harbor symbiotic streptomycete bacteria in antennal glands, a trait shared with their close relative Philanthus.
Triepeolus concavus
Concave Longhorn-Cuckoo
Triepeolus concavus is a cleptoparasitic bee in the family Apidae. Females lay eggs in the ground nests of host bees, particularly sunflower bees (Svastra obliqua expurgata). The species lacks pollen-collecting structures (scopa) and relies on stealing food stores provisioned by host bees. It is found in the United States and Mexico.
Triepeolus grandis
Great Feather-tongue-Cuckoo
Triepeolus grandis is a cleptoparasitic bee in the family Apidae, subfamily Nomadinae. It is a cuckoo bee that parasitizes the ground-nesting bee Caupolicana yarrowi (Colletidae: Diphaglossinae). Females enter host nests during or after host provisioning, destroy host eggs or larvae, and lay their own eggs on the host's pollen provisions. The species occurs in North America and Central America.
Triepeolus remigatus
Squash Longhorn-Cuckoo, cuckoo bee
Triepeolus remigatus is a cleptoparasitic bee (cuckoo bee) in the family Apidae. It parasitizes the nests of squash bees, particularly Xenoglossa pruinosa. Unlike most bees, it does not collect pollen or construct its own nests. The species is found in the United States, Mexico, and Central America.
Vespula alascensis
Alaska yellowjacket, American yellowjacket
Vespula alascensis is a social wasp native to North America, recognized as a distinct species in 2010 after being treated as a taxonomic synonym of Vespula vulgaris for over a century. It belongs to the 'vulgaris group' of yellowjackets, characterized by scavenging behavior and ground-nesting habits. The species is known to occur across northern and western regions of the continent, with confirmed records from Vermont to Hawaii.
Vespula maculifrons
Eastern yellowjacket, Eastern yellow jacket
Vespula maculifrons is a social wasp native to eastern North America, commonly known as the Eastern yellowjacket. It is among the most aggressive stinging insects in its range, known for vigorously defending nests and delivering painful stings with minimal provocation. Colonies are typically founded by a single queen in spring and can grow to contain thousands of workers by late summer. The species is polyandrous, with females mating with multiple males, and exhibits cooperative colony dynamics without significant reproductive conflict among patrilines.
Xenoglossa
Squash Bees and Allies, Squash Bees
Xenoglossa is a genus of large bees in the family Apidae, commonly known as squash bees. Species in this genus are oligolectic pollen specialists, with most species foraging exclusively on Cucurbita crops (Cucurbitaceae). Some species, such as X. (Cemolobus) ipomoeae, specialize on Ipomoea (Convolvulaceae) instead. These solitary, ground-nesting bees are native to North America and are important agricultural pollinators. Adults are active for a brief period in summer, coinciding with host plant bloom.
Xenoglossa angustior
Red-tailed Squash Bee
Xenoglossa angustior, the Red-tailed Squash Bee, is a specialist pollinator of cucurbits (Cucurbitaceae) in the tribe Eucerini. It is native to North and Middle America and shares the common name "squash bee" with the related genus Peponapis. Both genera are oligoleges that pollinate exclusively squash, pumpkins, gourds, cucumbers, and zucchini.
Xenoglossa kansensis
Kansas squash bee
Xenoglossa kansensis, commonly known as the Kansas squash bee, is a solitary long-horned bee in the family Apidae. It belongs to a genus of specialist pollinators that are oligoleges on cucurbits (the squash family, Cucurbitaceae). The species is native to North America and is one of two related genera (Xenoglossa and Peponapis) commonly referred to as squash bees. Like other squash bees, it is an early-morning pollinator of cucurbit crops.
Xenoglossodes
Xenoglossodes is a subgenus of long-horned bees in the genus Xenoglossa (family Apidae). Established by Ashmead in 1899, it is currently recognized as a subgenus rather than a full genus. The taxonomic status has been historically unstable, with Xenoglossodes excurrens (Cockerell, 1903) now treated as a synonym of Melissodes subagilis. Members are specialist bees associated with cucurbit flowers.
Zikanapis elegans
Zikanapis elegans is a species of plasterer bee in the family Colletidae, originally described as Caupolicana elegans by Timberlake in 1965. It belongs to a genus of solitary bees found in the southwestern United States and Mexico. Like other colletid bees, it likely nests in the ground and lines its brood cells with a cellophane-like secretion. The species is poorly known, with limited observational records.