Solitary-wasp
Guides
Stenodynerus percampanulatus
Stenodynerus percampanulatus is a solitary mason wasp in the subfamily Eumeninae. The species has been synonymized under Rhynchalastor percampanulatus in some taxonomic treatments. Like other Stenodynerus species, it is a cavity-nesting wasp that provisions nests with paralyzed caterpillars as food for its larvae. The genus is morphologically similar to Parancistrocerus, and the two are often difficult to distinguish in field observations.
Stenodynerus taosoides
Stenodynerus taosoides is a species of mason wasp in the subfamily Eumeninae (family Vespidae). Members of the genus Stenodynerus are solitary wasps that construct nests in pre-existing cavities, provisioning them with paralyzed caterpillars as food for their larval offspring. The species name suggests a connection to the Taos region of northern New Mexico, though specific details about its distribution and biology remain poorly documented in the available literature.
Stictia
horse guards, cowfly tigers, insecto policia
Stictia is a genus of large, often brightly colored predatory sand wasps comprising approximately 30 species, primarily distributed in the Neotropics. The genus is best known for Stictia carolina, commonly called the "Horse Guard," which specializes in hunting horse flies around livestock. Females construct solitary nests in sandy soil, provisioning them with paralyzed flies to feed their larvae. These wasps are valued for their biological control of pest flies, though they are not commercially available. Males engage in aerial patrols and "sun dances" to locate females.
Stictia carolina
Horse Guard Wasp, Horse Guard, Cowfly Tiger, Insecto Policia
Stictia carolina, commonly known as the Horse Guard Wasp, is a large, colorful sand wasp native to eastern and central North America. This solitary wasp is a specialist predator of horse flies (Tabanidae), hunting around livestock and humans to capture its prey. Females excavate burrows in sandy soil where they provision a single cell with 15-35 flies for their larval offspring. Despite its intimidating appearance and persistent hovering behavior around horses, it is not aggressive toward humans and provides valuable biological control of biting flies.
Stictiella emarginata
sand wasp
Stictiella emarginata is a solitary sand wasp in the family Crabronidae, subfamily Bembicinae. It constructs nests in sandy soils and provisions cells with lepidopteran larvae, primarily Noctuidae and Hesperiidae. The species occurs across eastern North America from northern Michigan to the Atlantic Coast, with a flight season concentrated in late June through early August. Nesting behavior includes temporary nest closure, mound leveling, and orientation flights.
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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.
Stizoides
Stizoides is a genus of kleptoparasitic sand wasps in the family Crabronidae, containing approximately 30 described species globally. The genus is notable for its unique parasitic strategy: females exploit the food caches of other solitary wasps rather than hunting their own prey. Two species occur in North America—S. renicinctus (widespread in western North America) and S. foxi (restricted to Arizona and Mexico). Most species are found in Africa, Mediterranean Europe, the Middle East, and India.
Stizoides foxi
Fox's stizoide
Stizoides foxi is a kleptoparasitic sand wasp in the family Crabronidae, one of only two Stizoides species occurring in North America. This species is restricted to Arizona and southward into Mexico, where it parasitizes the food caches of other solitary wasps. Like its congener S. renicinctus, females locate and excavate the burrows of host wasps, destroy the host egg, and replace it with their own egg to exploit the provisioned prey. The species was described by Gillaspy in 1963 and remains poorly known compared to its more widespread relative.
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.
Stizus occidentalis
Stizus occidentalis is a species of sand wasp described by J. Parker in 1929. It belongs to the family Crabronidae (sometimes historically referred to as Bembicidae), a group of solitary wasps known for nesting in soil and preying on other insects. The species occurs in North America. Like other members of the genus Stizus, it is presumed to be a predator that provisions its nests with paralyzed prey, though specific biological details for this species remain poorly documented.
Symmorphus
mason wasps, potter wasps
Symmorphus is a genus of solitary mason wasps in the subfamily Eumeninae, distributed primarily across the Holarctic region with 36 recognized species. These small wasps (6–20 mm) are cavity-nesters that utilize pre-existing holes in wood, hollow stems, or twigs, partitioning them into multiple cells with mud walls. Females are predators that mass-provision nests with paralyzed larvae of leaf beetles (Chrysomelidae), weevils (Curculionidae), or leaf-mining moth caterpillars. The genus occupies a relatively isolated phylogenetic position within Eumeninae and includes two subgenera: S. (Symmorphus) and S. (Parasymmorphus).
Symmorphus albomarginatus
White-bordered Potter Wasp
A small, slender mason wasp in the subfamily Eumeninae. Females construct multi-celled nests in pre-existing wood cavities, provisioning cells with paralyzed leaf beetle larvae (Chrysomelidae), weevil larvae (Curculionidae), or leaf-mining moth caterpillars. Two subspecies recognized: nominate S. a. albomarginatus and S. a. midas from southern Texas. The species ranges across much of North America from Alaska to California and eastward.
Symmorphus canadensis
Canadian potter wasp, Canadian mason wasp
Symmorphus canadensis is the smallest North American species in the genus Symmorphus, measuring approximately 6–10 mm. This solitary mason wasp specializes in hunting leaf beetle larvae, weevil larvae, and leaf-mining moth caterpillars to provision nests constructed in pre-existing cavities. Females partition nest tunnels into multiple cells using mud partitions, laying one egg per cell atop paralyzed prey. The species is transcontinental across North America, absent only from Florida, Texas, New Mexico, and Arizona.
Symmorphus cristatus
Tufted Potter Wasp
Symmorphus cristatus is a solitary mason wasp in the subfamily Eumeninae, widely distributed across North America. It is a specialist predator of leaf beetle larvae (Chrysomelidae), which it paralyzes and provisions in mud-partitioned nest cells. The species exhibits trap-nesting behavior, utilizing pre-existing cavities in dead wood rather than constructing free-standing nests. It serves as a significant biological control agent for several leaf beetle species and is subject to brood parasitism by cuckoo wasps.
Symmorphus projectus
Symmorphus projectus is a small, slender mason wasp in the subfamily Eumeninae. It is strictly western in distribution, ranging from the Pacific Northwest to Montana, Wyoming, and southward. Females nest in pre-existing cavities such as beetle borings in dead wood, provisioning cells with paralyzed leaf beetle larvae, weevil larvae, or leaf-mining moth caterpillars for their offspring. The species is one of four Symmorphus species in North America and can be distinguished from eastern congeners by geographic range and subtle morphological features.
Tachypompilus
spider wasps
Tachypompilus is a genus of spider wasps in the family Pompilidae, distributed across the Neotropics, Nearctic, eastern Palearctic, Indomalayan, and Afrotropical regions. The genus includes approximately 20 described species, several with distinctive common names such as the red-tailed spider wasp (T. analis), rusty spider wasp (T. ferrugineus), and rain spider wasp (T. ignitus). Members are solitary wasps that hunt spiders as food for their larvae.
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 ferrugineus annexus
Tachypompilus ferrugineus annexus is a subspecies of spider wasp in the family Pompilidae. It belongs to a group of large, solitary wasps that hunt spiders to provision nests for their larvae. The species Tachypompilus ferrugineus is known for its distinctive rusty or reddish coloration. This subspecies was described by Nathan Banks in 1944.
Tachypompilus ferrugineus ferrugineus
Rusty Spider Wasp, Spider Wasp
Tachypompilus ferrugineus ferrugineus is a large, solitary spider wasp in the family Pompilidae. Adults are characterized by rusty-orange coloration and are active primarily in late summer. Females hunt and paralyze large spiders, particularly wolf spiders (Lycosidae), as provisions for their larvae. The species exhibits distinctive male perching behavior at prominent vertical structures such as cemetery monuments, where males compete for access to females. This subspecies is native to eastern North America.
Tachypompilus ferrugineus nigrescens
Tachypompilus ferrugineus nigrescens is a subspecies of spider wasp in the family Pompilidae. It is a large, solitary wasp that preys on moderately large wolf spiders (Lycosa species), which it paralyzes and provisions in underground nest cells for its larval offspring. The subspecies has been documented forming aggregations at specific nesting sites, where males perch on elevated surfaces and compete for access to females.
Tachypompilus unicolor
Western Red-tailed Spider Wasp, Red-tailed Spider Hunter
Tachypompilus unicolor is a solitary spider wasp endemic to western North America. The species exhibits striking sexual dimorphism in coloration and wing morphology. Adults are nectar-feeders, while females provision nests with paralyzed spiders as food for their larvae. Two subspecies are recognized, distinguished primarily by body and wing coloration.
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 pompiliformis
Tachysphex pompiliformis is a small digger wasp in the family Crabronidae. The species was taxonomically redefined in 2016 when Straka demonstrated that the name had been misapplied to at least 14 similar species in Europe and Turkey. Four former synonyms were restored to species status: T. austriacus, T. dimidiatus, T. jokischianus, and T. nigripennis. As a result of this revision, the precise distribution and biological details of the true T. pompiliformis remain uncertain pending review of voucher specimens. The species belongs to the pompiliformis species-group, the most species-rich group within Tachysphex in Iran.
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 crassus
Tachytes crassus is a species of square-headed wasp in the family Crabronidae, first described by Patton in 1880. It is one of approximately 35 North American species in the genus Tachytes, a group commonly referred to as "green-eyed wasps" due to the striking eye coloration of many species. The species is found in North America, with records from Canada including Ontario. As with other members of the genus, it is a solitary wasp that nests in soil and provisions its burrows with paralyzed orthopteran prey.
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 grisselli
Tachytes grisselli is a species of square-headed wasp in the family Crabronidae, tribe Larrini. The genus Tachytes comprises approximately 35 species in North America north of Mexico, commonly referred to as 'green-eyed wasps' due to the large, vivid green eyes of many larger species. Members of this genus are solitary, ground-nesting wasps that provision their burrows with paralyzed orthopteran prey.
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.
Timulla
velvet ants
Timulla is a genus of velvet ants (family Mutillidae) comprising nearly 200 described species. These solitary wasps exhibit pronounced sexual dimorphism: females are wingless and often brightly colored with dense velvety pubescence, while males are winged. The genus occurs across the Americas and has been documented as a parasitoid of solitary bees and other ground-nesting insects. Some Timulla species serve as models for Müllerian or Batesian mimicry complexes, notably with ground spiders in the genus Sergiolus.
Tiphiidae
Tiphiid Flower Wasps, Tiphiid Wasps, Flower Wasps
Tiphiidae is a family of large, solitary wasps whose larvae are parasitoids of beetle larvae, particularly scarab beetles (Scarabaeoidea). The family has undergone significant taxonomic revision, with former subfamilies now reclassified as the separate family Thynnidae. Some members, particularly in the subfamily Brachycistidinae, exhibit striking sexual dimorphism: males are winged and aerial, while females are wingless and fossorial, hunting ground-dwelling beetle larvae.
Trypoxylon
keyhole wasps, pipe organ mud daubers
Trypoxylon is a large genus of solitary wasps in the family Crabronidae, comprising approximately 634 species worldwide. The genus is notable for being the most speciose within its family. All studied species are active hunters of spiders, which they paralyze with venom to provision nests for their larvae. Nesting strategies vary: most species utilize pre-existing cavities such as hollow stems, beetle borings, or abandoned nests, while a minority construct free-standing mud nests. The genus is divided into two subgenera: Trypoxylon (smaller species) and Trypargilum (medium to large species).
Trypoxylon californicum
Trypoxylon californicum is a solitary spider-hunting wasp in the family Crabronidae, subgenus Trypargilum. Females nest in pre-existing cavities such as hollow twigs, beetle borings, or abandoned mud dauber nests, partitioning them into multiple cells provisioned with paralyzed spiders. Males actively guard nest entrances against parasites while females hunt, a behavior termed 'patriarchate' by naturalists. The species is found across western North America and has been successfully attracted to artificial trap nests.
Trypoxylon carinatum
Trypoxylon carinatum is a species of solitary spider-hunting wasp in the family Crabronidae. As a member of the subgenus Trypargilum, it is among the larger species in the genus. Like other Trypoxylon, females nest in pre-existing cavities and provision cells with paralyzed spiders for their offspring. The species is distributed across North America and Middle America.
Trypoxylon clavatum
square-headed wasp
Trypoxylon clavatum is a species of square-headed wasp in the family Crabronidae, found in North America. It belongs to the subgenus Trypargilum, which includes medium-sized and larger species in this genus. The species has two recognized subspecies: T. c. clavatum and T. c. johannis. Like other Trypoxylon species, it is a solitary spider-hunting wasp that nests in pre-existing cavities.
Trypoxylon clavatum johannis
Trypoxylon clavatum johannis is a subspecies of spider-hunting wasp in the family Crabronidae. It belongs to the subgenus Trypargilum, which comprises medium-sized to large species within the genus. Like other members of Trypoxylon, this wasp nests in pre-existing cavities and provisions its cells with paralyzed spiders. The subspecies was described by Richards in 1934 and is distributed in North America, with records from Ontario, Canada.
Trypoxylon frigidum
Trypoxylon frigidum is a species of square-headed wasp in the family Crabronidae. It is found in North America. The species belongs to the subgenus Trypoxylon, characterized by small body size compared to the larger subgenus Trypargilum. Two subspecies are recognized: T. f. frigidum and T. f. cornutum.
Trypoxylon politum
Pipe Organ Mud Dauber, Organ-pipe Mud-dauber Wasp
Trypoxylon politum is a large, solitary spider-hunting wasp and the only North American member of its genus that constructs free-standing mud nests rather than using pre-existing cavities. Its distinctive nest consists of multiple parallel tubular mud columns resembling organ pipes, with each tube internally partitioned into several cells provisioned with paralyzed spiders. The species exhibits cooperative behavior between sexes: males defend nests against parasites and rival males while females hunt and construct. Native to eastern North America, it has shown recent range expansion westward into Colorado and coexists with other mud dauber species.
Trypoxylon spinosum
Black Reed Wasp
Trypoxylon spinosum is a species of solitary spider-hunting wasp in the family Crabronidae. As a member of the subgenus Trypargilum, it is among the larger-bodied species in the genus. Like other Trypoxylon wasps, it nests in pre-existing cavities and provisions cells with paralyzed spiders for its offspring. The species was described by Cameron in 1889 and is known from Middle and North America.
Trypoxylon tridentatum
Trypoxylon tridentatum is a spider-hunting wasp in the family Crabronidae, subgenus Trypargilum. It inhabits mesic and xeric habitats in arid regions, particularly the Baja California peninsula. The wasp provisions nest cells with paralyzed spiders as food for its larvae, showing strong preference for orb-weaving spiders in the family Araneidae. Unlike its congener T. politum, which constructs free-standing mud nests, T. tridentatum nests in pre-existing cavities such as hollow twigs, beetle borings, and abandoned mud dauber nests.
Trypoxylon tridentatum archboldi
Trypoxylon tridentatum archboldi is a subspecies of spider-hunting wasp in the family Crabronidae. As a member of the subgenus Trypargilum, it belongs to a group of medium-sized to large Trypoxylon species that nest in pre-existing cavities rather than constructing free-standing mud nests. The species was described by Krombein in 1959 and is known from North America, with records from British Columbia, Canada. Like other Trypargilum species, it likely exhibits cooperative nesting behavior with males participating in nest guarding and maintenance, though specific behavioral documentation for this subspecies is limited.
Zanysson texanus
Zanysson texanus is a species of wasp in the family Crabronidae, subfamily Bembicinae. It was originally described as Nysson texanus by Cresson in 1873. The genus Zanysson belongs to the tribe Nyssonini, a group of solitary wasps commonly known as cuckoo wasps or kleptoparasitic wasps that typically exploit the nests of other wasps. The species epithet 'texanus' indicates a Texas association, likely referring to the type locality or primary distribution.