Pollen-wasp
Guides
Euparagia desertorum
Euparagia desertorum is a species of pollen wasp in the subfamily Masarinae, described by Bohart in 1948. The species epithet "desertorum" suggests an association with desert habitats. Members of the genus Euparagia are among the most primitive living vespid wasps and are endemic to arid regions of western North America. Like other masarine wasps, adults are solitary and provision their nests with pollen and nectar rather than prey.
Pseudomasaris
pollen wasps
Pseudomasaris is a genus of solitary pollen wasps in the family Vespidae, comprising 15 species found exclusively in arid regions of western North America. Unlike most wasps, which provision their nests with paralyzed prey, Pseudomasaris females collect pollen and nectar to feed their larvae—a behavior convergent with bees. The genus is the sole representative of the subfamily Masarinae in North America. Adults are typically black with yellow or white markings; some species exhibit coloration resembling yellowjackets (Vespula), though they lack the longitudinal fold characteristic of social vespids when at rest.
Pseudomasaris coquilletti
Pseudomasaris coquilletti is a species of pollen wasp in the family Vespidae. It occurs in the western United States, specifically in Oregon, California, Utah, and Arizona. Like other members of the genus Pseudomasaris, adults feed on pollen and nectar rather than other insects.
Pseudomasaris edwardsii
Edwards' pollen wasp
Pseudomasaris edwardsii is a small pollen-provisioning wasp in the family Vespidae, subfamily Masarinae. Unlike most vespid wasps that provision nests with paralyzed insects, females collect pollen and nectar to feed their larvae. The species has been documented nesting in California, with confirmed records from Pasadena and Sierra Madre. It represents one of the few known pollen-collecting wasps in North America, sharing this unusual dietary strategy with its congener P. vespoides.
Pseudomasaris macneilli
A solitary pollen wasp in the family Vespidae, subfamily Masarinae. Like other Pseudomasaris species, females construct mud nests and provision cells with pollen and nectar rather than paralyzing prey. The species was described by Bohart in 1963 and belongs to a genus of 14 species restricted to western North America.
Pseudomasaris macswaini
pollen wasp
Pseudomasaris macswaini is a species of pollen wasp in the family Vespidae, subfamily Masarinae. It is one of 14 species in the genus Pseudomasaris, which is the only genus of pollen wasps occurring in North America. Like other masarine wasps, it is solitary and provisions its nest cells with pollen and nectar rather than paralyzed prey. The species was described by Bohart in 1963 and is known from western North America.
Pseudomasaris maculifrons
pollen wasp
Pseudomasaris maculifrons is a solitary pollen wasp in the family Vespidae, subfamily Masarinae. Unlike predatory social wasps, females construct mud nests provisioned with pollen and nectar rather than insect prey. Males exhibit distinctive hilltopping behavior, perching repeatedly in the same locations on isolated peaks to await females. The species occurs in western North America and is active primarily in spring.
Pseudomasaris marginalis
Pseudomasaris marginalis is a North American pollen wasp in the subfamily Masarinae, family Vespidae. Like other members of its genus, it is a solitary wasp that constructs mud nests provisioned with pollen and nectar rather than paralyzed prey. The species was described by Cresson in 1864. Pollen wasps in this genus are distinguished from social vespids by their clubbed antennae and lack of a longitudinal fold when at rest. Males of related species exhibit hilltopping behavior, perching at elevated sites to encounter females.
Pseudomasaris micheneri
Pseudomasaris micheneri is a pollen wasp in the subfamily Masarinae, described by Bohart in 1963. Like other members of its genus, it is a solitary wasp that constructs mud nests and provisions cells with pollen and nectar rather than paralyzed prey. The species belongs to a group of wasps that exhibit oligolectic pollination relationships, primarily visiting flowers in the genera Penstemon, Phacelia, and Eriodictyon. Males are known to exhibit hilltopping behavior, perching at elevated sites to await females.
Pseudomasaris occidentalis
Western pollen wasp
Pseudomasaris occidentalis is a solitary wasp in the subfamily Masarinae, commonly known as the western pollen wasp. Unlike most wasps that provision their nests with prey, masarine wasps are unique among vespids in feeding their larvae exclusively on pollen and nectar. The species is native to western North America and is one of approximately 14 species in the genus Pseudomasaris, all of which are restricted to North America.
Pseudomasaris phaceliae
Scorpionweed pollen wasp
Pseudomasaris phaceliae is a solitary pollen wasp in the subfamily Masarinae, known as the scorpionweed pollen wasp. Like other members of its genus, it exhibits oligolectic behavior, collecting pollen and nectar from a narrow range of flowering plants to provision its mud nest cells. The species is native to western North America and is one of approximately 14 species in the genus Pseudomasaris, the only masarine genus occurring in North America. Males are distinguished by their elongated, clubbed antennae and engage in hilltopping behavior to locate females.
Pseudomasaris texanus
Pseudomasaris texanus is a pollen wasp in the family Vespidae, subfamily Masarinae. Like other members of its genus, females construct mud nests provisioned with pollen and nectar rather than paralyzed prey. The species was described by Cresson in 1871 and is one of several Pseudomasaris species documented in western North America.
Pseudomasaris vespoides
pollen wasp
Pseudomasaris vespoides is a solitary pollen wasp in the family Vespidae, subfamily Masarinae. Unlike social vespids that provision nests with prey, females construct mud nests and provision cells exclusively with pollen and nectar, resembling bee-like behavior. The species is strongly associated with Penstemon flowers, from which females collect pollen. Males are distinguished by their conspicuously long, clubbed antennae and exhibit hilltopping behavior on elevated terrain to locate females.
Pseudomasaris zonalis
Pseudomasaris zonalis is a species of pollen wasp in the family Vespidae, subfamily Masarinae. Like other members of the genus Pseudomasaris, it is a solitary wasp that provisions its nests with pollen and nectar rather than paralyzed prey. The species was described by Cresson in 1864. Pollen wasps in this genus are known for their specialized oligolectic relationships with certain flowering plants, particularly in the genera Penstemon, Phacelia, and Eriodictyon.