Sand-wasps
Guides
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.
Hoplisoides
sand wasps
Hoplisoides is a genus of solitary sand wasps in the family Crabronidae, containing at least 70 described species worldwide. These small wasps are characterized by their spotted wings and specialized predatory behavior targeting treehoppers (Membracidae). Females construct short burrows in sandy soil to provision with paralyzed prey for their larvae. The genus is distributed globally except Australia, with approximately 18 species in North America.
Microbembex
sand wasps
Microbembex is a genus of sand wasps in the family Crabronidae, containing more than 30 described species. These solitary wasps are known for nesting in sandy substrates and have been documented primarily in North America. The genus has been the subject of behavioral studies, particularly regarding nest-finding and activity patterns. Some species have been recorded as hosts for velvet ants (Mutillidae).
Saygorytes
Saygorytes is a genus of sand wasps in the family Crabronidae, established by Nemkov in 2007. The genus comprises approximately seven described species distributed in North America. Members are solitary wasps that visit sunflowers and other plants for nectar. They are part of the diverse community of wasps attracted to extrafloral nectaries on sunflowers in arid and disturbed habitats.
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.
Steniolia
sand wasps
Steniolia is a genus of solitary sand wasps in the family Crabronidae, containing approximately 15 described species. All North American species are western in distribution, with four species extending only as far north as Mexico. Females are fossorial, constructing single-celled burrows in dry, powdery soil to provision with paralyzed flies. The genus is notable for ornate coloration, elongated mouthparts adapted for nectar feeding, and distinctive nightly sleeping clusters formed by both sexes.