Hymenoptera
Guides
Isodontia apicalis
grass-carrier wasp
Isodontia apicalis is a solitary thread-waisted wasp in the family Sphecidae, known as a 'grass-carrier' for its distinctive nesting behavior. The species occurs in North and Central America. Like other members of its genus, females construct nests using dry grass to partition cells and plug entrances.
Isodontia auripes
Brown-legged Grass-carrier Wasp, brown-legged grass-carrier
Isodontia auripes, the brown-legged grass-carrier wasp, is a solitary thread-waisted wasp in the family Sphecidae. The species is known for its distinctive nesting behavior: females construct nests in pre-existing cavities such as window tracks, wind chimes, or abandoned carpenter bee tunnels, filling them with dry grass and provisioning them with paralyzed tree crickets (Oecanthus spp.) as food for their larvae. The wasp is non-aggressive toward humans and has been observed using nests made by Xylocopa virginica or mining bees. Larvae feed for approximately three days before pupating for two days.
Isodontia philadelphica
Grass-carrying Wasp
Isodontia philadelphica is a solitary wasp in the family Sphecidae, commonly known as a grass-carrying wasp. Females construct nests in pre-existing cavities such as hollow stems, abandoned insect burrows, or window tracks, using dry grass to partition cells and plug entrances. They provision nests with paralyzed tree crickets and katydids as food for their larvae. The species occurs in North America and is not aggressive toward humans.
Isosomodes
Isosomodes is a genus of chalcidoid wasps in the family Eurytomidae, first described by Ashmead in 1888. The genus is part of the diverse Eurytominae subfamily, whose members are primarily associated with plants as seed feeders or gall formers. Records indicate presence in the Americas, with documented occurrences in Venezuela, Colombia, and the United States. The genus remains poorly studied, with limited species-level documentation and biological data available.
Jaliscoa
Jaliscoa is a genus of chalcidoid wasps in the family Pteromalidae, established by Bouček in 1993. The genus was redefined in a 2013 taxonomic revision and currently includes four species: J. nudipennis (type species), J. bouceki, J. hunteri, and J. vulgaris. The most extensively studied species, J. hunteri, is a parasitoid of weevils in the genus Anthonomus, particularly the pepper weevil (A. eugenii), and has been investigated as a biological control agent. Unlike many parasitoids, J. hunteri exhibits significant host feeding behavior that contributes to pest suppression.
Jaliscoa hunteri
Jaliscoa hunteri is a pteromalid parasitoid wasp native to North America that functions as a biological control agent of weevil pests in agricultural systems. Originally described as Catolaccus hunteri in 1908, it was transferred to Jaliscoa in a 2013 revision. The species is best known for parasitizing and host-feeding on pepper weevil (Anthonomus eugenii) larvae in pepper crops, and has been evaluated for control of hibiscus bud weevil (Anthonomus testaceosquamosus). Laboratory studies demonstrate strong attraction to volatiles emitted by weevil-infested pepper plants and fruit.
Janus integer
currant stem girdler
Janus integer, commonly known as the currant stem girdler, is a species of stem sawfly in the family Cephidae native to North America. As a member of the Cephidae, it belongs to a family of sawflies characterized by their cylindrical, elongated bodies and larvae that bore into plant stems. The common name indicates a specific association with currant plants (Ribes species), where larvae likely cause damage by girdling stems. The species has been documented across multiple Canadian provinces including Alberta, British Columbia, Manitoba, and Newfoundland.
Kapala
Kapala is a genus of parasitoid wasps in the family Eucharitidae, established by Cameron in 1884. The genus is the most common and widely distributed eucharitine genus in the Neotropics, associated with poneromorph ants as hosts. Eucharitid wasps are highly specialized parasitoids whose larvae develop inside ant colonies.
Kapala floridana
Kapala floridana is a species of parasitoid wasp in the family Eucharitidae, originally described by Ashmead in 1885 as Thoracantha floridana. The genus Kapala comprises parasitoid wasps that are among the largest in their family, with species ranging from 3 to 9 mm in length. Members of this genus are presumed to parasitize the eggs of orthopterans, including grasshoppers, crickets, and katydids. The specific biology and host relationships of K. floridana remain poorly documented.
Kleidotoma
Kleidotoma is a genus of small parasitoid wasps in the family Figitidae. Members are hyperparasitoids, developing on the larvae of other parasitoid wasps that attack gall-forming insects. The genus occurs primarily in the Holarctic region, with records from northern Europe.
Kokkocynips difficilis
Kokkocynips difficilis is a species of gall wasp in the family Cynipidae, originally described by Ashmead in 1887 as Andricus difficilis. It belongs to the tribe Cynipini, which comprises gall-inducing wasps associated with oaks (Quercus spp.). The genus Kokkocynips was established relatively recently (2021) following taxonomic revision of the oak gall wasps. Like other members of this genus, K. difficilis likely induces galls on oak species, though specific host associations and gall morphology remain poorly documented in the available literature.
Kokkocynips rileyi
Kokkocynips rileyi is a species of gall wasp in the family Cynipidae. The species was originally described as Andricus rileyi by Ashmead in 1896 and has undergone taxonomic revisions, with recent treatments placing it in the genus Kokkocynips. Like other cynipid wasps, this species induces gall formation on host plants, though specific gall morphology and host associations require further documentation. The species name honors an individual, following the Latin convention for male eponyms ending in -i.
Labolips
Labolips is a genus of parasitoid wasps in the family Diapriidae, first described by Förster in 1856. Members of this genus are small, typically minute wasps that develop as parasitoids of other insects. The genus is recorded from northern Europe, specifically Denmark and Sweden. Like other diapriids, species in this genus likely target dipteran hosts, though specific host relationships remain poorly documented.
Lagium
Lagium is a genus of sawflies in the family Tenthredinidae, established by Konow in 1904. Members of this genus are part of the diverse Hymenoptera order, which includes wasps, bees, and ants. The genus is recognized in major taxonomic databases including GBIF, NCBI, and iNaturalist, with 96 observations recorded on iNaturalist. As a genus within Tenthredinidae, Lagium species are expected to share the family's characteristic sawfly morphology, though specific details about individual species remain limited in available sources.
Lamennaisia
Lamennaisia is a genus of parasitoid wasps in the family Encyrtidae, established by Girault in 1922. The genus belongs to the subfamily Encyrtinae, a diverse group of chalcidoid wasps known for their role as biological control agents of scale insects and other Hemiptera. The type species is Lamennaisia ambigua (Nees). Specimens of this genus have been documented in museum collections including the University of California, Riverside Encyrtidae holdings, which contains both pinned and slide-mounted material.
Lamennaisia ambigua
Lamennaisia ambigua is a species of parasitic wasp in the family Encyrtidae, originally described as Encyrtus ambiguus by Nees in 1834. It is one of the species represented in the University of California Riverside's extensive Encyrtidae collection, which is noted as one of the largest and most important collections of this family worldwide. The species has been recorded from Canada (Saskatchewan), Denmark, Norway, and Madeira Island (Portugal).
Larropsis
square-headed wasps
Larropsis is a genus of square-headed wasps in the family Crabronidae, containing more than 40 described species. These solitary wasps are members of the tribe Larrini and are known for their nesting behavior, including nest construction and provisioning with prey. The genus was established by Patton in 1892. Specific ecological details remain limited for many species.
Larropsis distincta
square-headed wasp
Larropsis distincta is a species of square-headed wasp in the family Crabronidae. It is native to North America and has been documented in Canada, specifically in Alberta. The species was first described by F. Smith in 1856.
Lasioglossum cattellae
A small metallic sweat bee in the subgenus Dialictus, originally described from the eastern United States. The species was previously known under the synonym Dialictus alternatus until synonymized by Gibbs (2010). Like other members of this large subgenus, it is a ground-nesting bee with likely solitary or weakly social behavior.
Lasioglossum lionotum
smooth-backed sweat bee
Lasioglossum lionotum is a species of sweat bee in the family Halictidae, described by Sandhouse in 1923. Like other members of the genus Lasioglossum, it is a small, ground-nesting bee. The species is known from North America, with confirmed records from Vermont. As with most Lasioglossum species, detailed natural history information specific to L. lionotum is limited.
Lasioglossum oceanicum
sweat bee
Lasioglossum oceanicum is a species of sweat bee in the family Halictidae, first described by Cockerell in 1916. Like other members of the genus Lasioglossum, it is a small bee with metallic coloration typical of many halictids. The species belongs to one of the most species-rich bee genera globally, with over 1,700 described species. As with many Lasioglossum species, detailed natural history information for L. oceanicum specifically is limited in available literature.
Lasioglossum pictum
Lasioglossum pictum is a species of sweat bee in the family Halictidae, first described by Crawford in 1902. Like other members of this large genus, it is a ground-nesting bee. The species is documented from North America. As with many Lasioglossum species, detailed natural history information specific to L. pictum is limited in available sources.
Lasioglossum planatum
Flattened Sweat Bee
Lasioglossum planatum is a small sweat bee in the subgenus Dialictus, resurrected from synonymy in a 2010 taxonomic revision of Canadian metallic Lasioglossum. It is one of over 1,700 species in the genus Lasioglossum, the largest genus of bees. Like other Dialictus species, it is a ground-nesting bee with variable social behavior. The species occurs in northeastern North America, with confirmed records from Vermont.
Lasioglossum versatum
Experienced Sweat Bee
Lasioglossum versatum is a sweat bee species in the family Halictidae, subgenus Dialictus, native to North America. It was described by Robertson in 1902 and has undergone taxonomic revision, with three synonymies proposed in a 2010 Canadian revision. Like other Dialictus species, it is small and likely metallic, though specific ecological details remain poorly documented. The species contributes to the diverse assemblage of Lasioglossum bees that dominate many North American bee surveys.
Lasius arizonicus
Arizona Citronella Ant
Lasius arizonicus is a species of ant in the genus Lasius, described by William Morton Wheeler in 1917. It is native to the United States, with records from Arizona. The species belongs to a genus commonly known as citronella ants due to the lemony scent produced by defensive secretions. Like other Lasius species, it likely produces citronellal and formic acid as chemical defenses.
Lasius crypticus
Cryptic Fuzzy Ant
Lasius crypticus is a species of ant in the genus Lasius, family Formicidae. Described by E. O. Wilson in 1955, this species is part of a diverse and ecologically significant genus of ants commonly known as citronella or fuzzy ants. The specific epithet 'crypticus' suggests cryptic or hidden characteristics, though detailed ecological information remains limited.
Lasius latipes
Wide-legged Citronella Ant
Lasius latipes is a North American ant species in the genus Lasius, commonly known as the Wide-legged Citronella Ant. It is a temporary social parasite that invades established colonies of other ant species, particularly Lasius neoniger, to initiate its own colony. The species produces a characteristic lemony citronella odor as a defensive chemical signal. Native to the United States, it belongs to a genus known for ecological interactions with aphids and other insects.
Lasius subumbratus
Less Shady Fuzzy Ant
Lasius subumbratus is a species of ant in the genus Lasius, family Formicidae, described by Viereck in 1903. It belongs to the subfamily Formicinae and tribe Lasiini. The species is known by the common name "Less Shady Fuzzy Ant" and has been documented in citizen science observations.
Lecaniobius
Lecaniobius is a genus of chalcidoid wasps in the family Eupelmidae, established by Ashmead in 1896. Members of this genus are parasitoid wasps, a characteristic common to the Eupelmidae family. The genus has been documented from Peru and the United States based on specimen records. As with many chalcidoid genera, detailed biological information remains limited in published literature.
Leptothorax
Thin Ants
Small ants in the subfamily Myrmicinae with primarily Holarctic distributions. The genus is distinguished by widespread social parasitism, with many species dependent on host workers during part or all of their life cycles. Some species exhibit complex social behaviors including dominance hierarchies and queen usurpation.
Leptothorax canadensis
Northern Thin Ant
Leptothorax canadensis is a small myrmicine ant native to eastern North America, where it is one of the most common ants in boreal coniferous forests. The species exhibits facultative polygyny, with colonies containing multiple fertile queens. It is also known as a slave-making ant, conducting organized raids on host colonies—particularly Leptothorax muscorum—to capture pupae that emerge as workers serving the slave-making colony. Genetic studies indicate a multicolonial population structure with moderate gene flow and no evidence of inbreeding.
Leucopelmonus annulicornis
Leucopelmonus annulicornis is a species of sawfly in the family Tenthredinidae. It was described by Harrington in 1893. The species is known from eastern Canada, with records from New Brunswick, Newfoundland, Nova Scotia, and Ontario. Very little has been published on its biology or ecology.
Leucospis affinis affinis
Leucospis affinis affinis is a chalcidoid wasp in the family Leucospidae, notable for being among the largest members of its superfamily. Females are distinguished by an ovipositor that curves over the dorsal abdomen, used to drill into wood and parasitize solitary bees nesting in pre-existing cavities. The subspecies is primarily a parasite of megachilid bees including leafcutter bees (Megachile), mason bees (Osmia), and resin bees (Dianthidium). Larvae develop as external parasites attached to host bee larvae, completing development in approximately 7–12 days before pupating within the host's cocoon.
Licrooides
Licrooides is a genus of minute parasitic wasps in the family Eupelmidae, described by Gibson in 1989. As members of the subfamily Eusandalinae, these wasps share the family's characteristic jumping ability powered by specialized mesothoracic musculature. The genus is part of the hyperdiverse chalcidoid wasp superfamily, with only three observations recorded on iNaturalist suggesting it is rarely encountered or underdocumented. Like other eupelmids, species in this genus are parasitoids of other arthropods, though specific host relationships for Licrooides remain poorly known.
Liliacina
Liliacina is a genus of sawflies in the family Tenthredinidae, established by Malaise in 1942. Sawflies in this family are herbivorous hymenopterans, often mistaken for wasps due to their similar body plan, but distinguished by a broad connection between the thorax and abdomen. The genus is poorly documented in public sources, with minimal observational records.
Limerodops belangeri
Limerodops belangeri is a species of ichneumon wasp in the family Ichneumonidae, described by Cresson in 1877. The genus Limerodops belongs to the large and diverse parasitoid wasp family Ichneumonidae, which contains thousands of species that primarily parasitize other insects. Very little specific biological information has been published for this particular species.
Limonethe
Limonethe is a genus of ichneumon wasps in the family Ichneumonidae containing approximately five described species. Members of this genus are distributed throughout the New World from Canada to Argentina. The genus is characterized by distinctive morphological features including a nearly square-shaped areolet and large, dense punctures on the post-petiole. Many species exhibit infuscated wings, a red abdomen, and a black head and mesosoma with narrow white markings along the inner eye margins.
Limonethe maurator
Limonethe maurator is a species of ichneumon wasp in the family Ichneumonidae. It is one of many ichneumon wasp species documented in North American urban and suburban environments. The species has been recorded in the central United States, including Kansas. Like other ichneumon wasps, females possess a visible ovipositor used for laying eggs.
Lindenius montezuma
Lindenius montezuma is a species of wasp in the family Crabronidae, first described by Cameron in 1891. The genus Lindenius belongs to the subfamily Crabroninae, a group of solitary wasps commonly known as sand wasps or digger wasps. Members of this genus are typically predatory, hunting various insects to provision their nests. The specific epithet "montezuma" refers to the Aztec emperor Montezuma, though the exact reason for this naming is not documented in available sources.
Linycus exhortator thoracicus
Linycus exhortator thoracicus is a subspecies of ichneumonid wasp in the genus Linycus. It is an endoparasitoid, with females laying eggs in host insects using their prominent ovipositors. The subspecies has been documented in northern Europe, including Denmark, Norway, and Sweden. Like other members of the genus Linycus, it likely targets beetle larvae as hosts.
Liris partitus
Liris partitus is a species of square-headed wasp in the family Crabronidae, tribe Larrini. It is known from Central America and North America. As a member of the genus Liris, it is likely a solitary wasp that hunts crickets as prey, though specific biological details for this species remain poorly documented. The species was described in 1984 as part of a revision of North American Liris.
Lissonota rubrica
Lissonota rubrica is a species of ichneumon wasp in the family Ichneumonidae, described by Cresson in 1870. The genus Lissonota belongs to the large and diverse family of parasitoid wasps, which are primarily known for their role in controlling populations of other insects through parasitism. The species name "rubrica" derives from Latin, referring to red or reddish coloration. Like other members of its genus, this species likely functions as a parasitoid, though specific host associations and detailed biology remain poorly documented.
Lissonota scutellaris
Lissonota scutellaris is a species of ichneumon wasp in the family Ichneumonidae, described by Cresson in 1870. The species is known from scattered records across western Canada, including Alberta and Manitoba. As with other members of the genus Lissonota, this species is presumed to be a parasitoid, though specific host associations remain undocumented.
Listrognathus
Listrognathus is a genus of ichneumonid wasps (Hymenoptera: Ichneumonidae) first described by Tschek in 1871. The genus contains parasitoid species that attack other hymenopterans. Listrognathus mactator has been documented as a parasitoid of sawflies in the family Cimbicidae.
Lithurgopsis littoralis
Lithurgopsis littoralis is a species of bee in the family Megachilidae, described by Cockerell in 1917. It belongs to the subfamily Lithurginae, a group of bees commonly known as mason bees or resin bees. The species is recorded from Middle America and North America.
Litus
Litus is a genus of fairyflies (Mymaridae), a family of minute parasitoid wasps. The genus was established by Haliday in 1833. Species in this genus are egg parasitoids, though specific host associations remain poorly documented for most taxa. A review by Triapitsyn and Berezovskiy in 2004 examined the genus across the Holarctic and Oriental regions.
Lomachaeta
Lomachaeta is a genus of velvet ants (Mutillidae) established by Mickel in 1936. The genus includes species distributed across western North America, Mexico, Central America, and South America. A 2004 revision described six new species and consolidated several previously described species under L. hicksi. Host data have been recorded for at least some species, indicating parasitoid relationships with other insects.
Lomachaeta cirrhomeris
Lomachaeta cirrhomeris is a species of velvet ant (Mutillidae) described in 2004 from the southwestern United States. It is one of six new species described in a taxonomic revision of the genus Lomachaeta. As with other mutillids, it is likely a solitary wasp with wingless females. Available information is limited to the original taxonomic description.
Lomachaeta hicksi
A species of velvet ant (Mutillidae) in the genus Lomachaeta, originally described by Mickel in 1936. The species was taxonomically consolidated in a 2004 revision, which established six junior synonyms under L. hicksi based on page priority. As a member of Mutillidae, it is a parasitoid wasp. The species is known from the southwestern United States and adjacent regions, with new distributional data reported in the revision.
Lonchodryinus flavus
Lonchodryinus flavus is a species of dryinid wasp in the family Dryinidae, described by Olmi in 1984. The species is known from the Nearctic region, with records from Canada and the United States. As a member of Dryinidae, it is presumed to be a parasitoid, though specific host associations for this species have not been documented in available sources.