Predatory-wasps
Guides
Ammoplanus
aphid wasps
Ammoplanus is a genus of aphid wasps containing more than 50 described species. The genus was established by Giraud in 1869 and is classified within the family Ammoplanidae (sometimes treated as a subfamily within Crabronidae). These wasps are part of the apoid wasp lineage within the order Hymenoptera. The genus has relatively few observational records despite its species diversity.
Anacrabronina
square-headed wasps
Anacrabronina is a subtribe of square-headed wasps within the family Crabronidae, established by Ashmead in 1899. The subtribe comprises at least 4 genera and approximately 120 described species. Members are solitary wasps characterized by their distinctive square or rectangular head shape. The subtribe is part of the tribe Crabronini and subfamily Crabroninae.
Aphilanthopini
ant queen-kidnapping wasps
Aphilanthopini is a small tribe of solitary wasps within the family Crabronidae, comprising two genera and approximately 13 described species. Members are commonly known as ant queen-kidnapping wasps due to their specialized predatory behavior targeting reproductive ants. The tribe was established by R. Bohart in 1966.
Arachnospila
spider wasps
Arachnospila is a genus of spider wasps (Pompilidae) with a predominantly Holarctic distribution. The genus contains approximately 50 described species organized into five subgenera: Acanthopompilus, Ammosphex, Anoplochares, Arachnospila, and Melanospila. Species occur in open habitats and at forest edges, with nests that may contain multiple cells. The genus has limited representation in montane habitats of the Neotropical and Afrotropical regions.
Cerceris conifrons
Cerceris conifrons is a solitary, ground-nesting wasp in the family Crabronidae, first described by Mickel in 1916. Like other members of the genus Cerceris, this species is a specialist predator that captures and paralyzes specific insect prey to provision underground nests for its offspring. The species occurs in North America and Middle America, though detailed biological information remains limited compared to better-studied congeners such as C. fumipennis.
Crabronidae
Square-headed Wasps, Sand Wasps, Digger Wasps
Crabronidae is a large family of solitary wasps within the superfamily Apoidea, containing over 200 genera and more than 9,000 species. Formerly treated as a subfamily of Sphecidae, it was elevated to family status following taxonomic revision. The family is now recognized as paraphyletic, with bees (Anthophila) and Sphecidae having arisen from within it. Members are commonly known as square-headed wasps, sand wasps, and digger wasps.
Crossocerus
Crossocerus is a large genus of square-headed wasps in the family Crabronidae, comprising at least 250 described species. These solitary wasps are characterized by their distinctive head shape and predatory lifestyle. The genus is taxonomically well-established and widely distributed across multiple continents.
Eucerceris bitruncata
Eucerceris bitruncata is a species of weevil wasp in the family Crabronidae, described by Scullen in 1939. The genus Eucerceris is part of the tribe Cercerini, commonly known as weevil wasps for their specialized predation on weevils (Curculionidae). This species occurs in North America. Very few observations exist in public databases, with only two records documented on iNaturalist.
Euparagiinae
Euparagiinae is a rare subfamily of wasps in the family Vespidae, containing a single extant genus Euparagiia. Once cosmopolitan in distribution dating back to the Early Cretaceous, the group is now geographically relict, restricted to desert regions of the southwestern United States and northwestern Mexico. The subfamily is the sister group to all other Vespidae and possesses distinctive wing venation not found elsewhere in the family.
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.
Lestica
Lestica is a genus of square-headed wasps in the family Crabronidae, containing at least 40 described species. The genus belongs to the tribe Crabronini, which includes primarily predatory wasps that provision nests with prey for their larvae. Species of Lestica are distributed across multiple continents, with records from Europe, North America, and tropical Africa. The genus can be distinguished from similar crabronine genera by morphological features of the abdomen.
Miscophini
square-headed wasps
Miscophini is a tribe of solitary wasps in the family Crabronidae, commonly known as square-headed wasps. The tribe comprises approximately 17 genera and at least 570 described species. These wasps are part of the diverse crabronid wasp fauna and are characterized by their distinctive head shape.
Philanthinae
beewolves, weevil wasps, ant-queen kidnappers
Philanthinae is a large subfamily of solitary predatory wasps within Crabronidae, containing approximately 1100 species across 9 genera, with Cerceris being the most diverse. Members are commonly known as beewolves, weevil wasps, and ant-queen kidnappers, reflecting their specialized prey preferences. Adult females excavate underground burrows for nesting and provision cells with paralyzed prey for their larvae. The subfamily exhibits remarkable behavioral complexity for solitary wasps, including prey embalming, landmark-based navigation, territoriality, and scent-marking. Three tribes are recognized: Philanthini (beewolves), Cercerini (weevil wasps), and Aphilanthopsini (ant-queen kidnappers), each with distinct morphological and ecological specializations.
Plenoculus
square-headed wasps
Plenoculus is a genus of square-headed wasps in the family Crabronidae, established by W. Fox in 1893. The genus contains more than 20 described species. Members belong to the tribe Miscophini, a group of solitary wasps within the subfamily Crabroninae. These wasps are part of the diverse crabronid lineage, which includes many predatory species that hunt arthropod prey to provision their nests.
Sphecidae
Thread-waisted Wasps, Sand Wasps, Mud Daubers
Sphecidae is a cosmopolitan family of solitary, predatory wasps characterized by a narrow petiole (thread-waisted appearance). The family was historically much broader but has been redefined following phylogenetic studies that demonstrated the former Sphecidae (sensu lato) was paraphyletic. The current restricted family (sensu stricto) includes four subfamilies: Ammophilinae, Chloriontinae, Sceliphrinae, and Sphecinae. Members construct diverse nest types including burrows in soil, pre-existing cavities, and free-standing mud or resin structures. All are predatory and parasitoidal, provisioning nests with paralyzed prey for their larvae.
Spheciina
Spheciina is a subtribe of sand wasps within the tribe Bembicini, family Crabronidae. These wasps are characterized by their fossorial (digging) behavior and predatory lifestyle. The subtribe was established by Nemkov & Ohl in 2011 based on phylogenetic analysis. Members are primarily solitary hunters that provision nests with paralyzed prey for their larvae.