Solitary-wasp
Guides
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 elegans
Elegant Grass-carrying Wasp
Isodontia elegans is a solitary, nest-provisioning thread-waisted wasp in the family Sphecidae. Commonly known as the elegant grass-carrying wasp, it hunts orthopteran prey including tree crickets and katydids, which it paralyzes and stores in nest cells for its developing larvae. The species is notable for using pre-existing cavities—particularly window tracks and wind chime tubes in suburban settings—lining them with finely chewed grass fibers that serve as both partitions between cells and defensive barriers against parasites.
Isodontia exornata
grass-carrier wasp
Isodontia exornata is a solitary thread-waisted wasp in the family Sphecidae, commonly known as a grass-carrier wasp. Females construct nests using dry grass in pre-existing cavities such as window tracks, hollow stems, or abandoned insect tunnels. They provision each nest cell with paralyzed tree crickets or katydids as food for their larvae. The species is part of the genus Isodontia, which includes several North American species that have adapted to suburban environments by utilizing human-made structures for nesting.
Isodontia mexicana
Mexican Grass-carrying Wasp, Grass-carrying Wasp
Isodontia mexicana is a solitary sphecid wasp native to North America that has become a successful invasive species in Europe since the 1960s. Females construct nests in pre-existing cavities such as hollow stems, abandoned beetle tunnels, or even window tracks, lining them with grass fragments. They provision nests with paralyzed orthopteran prey—primarily small katydids (Tettigoniidae) and tree crickets (Gryllidae, particularly Oecanthinae)—to feed their larvae. The species is notable for its splayed wing posture at rest and has been observed visiting diverse flowering plants for nectar.
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.
Lalapa
Lalapa is a genus of wasps in the family Tiphiidae, first described by Pate in 1947. The genus contains at least one species, Lalapa lusa, whose name is a humorous play on words sounding like "la-la palooza." These wasps belong to a group of solitary, ground-nesting parasitoids that attack scarab beetle larvae.
Larra analis
square-headed wasp
Larra analis is a square-headed wasp in the family Crabronidae, first described by Fabricius in 1804. It is native to North America and has been documented preying upon northern mole crickets. The species is part of the diverse Crabronidae family, which includes many solitary hunting wasps.
Larra bicolor
mole cricket hunter
A solitary parasitoid wasp native to South America, introduced to Florida and Puerto Rico as a biological control agent for invasive mole crickets in the genus Scapteriscus. Adult females hunt mole crickets by stinging them to temporary paralysis and depositing a single egg on the host, which the larva consumes before pupating within the cricket's remains. Adults feed on nectar, particularly from Spermacoce verticillata and other flowering plants. The species has been successfully established in the southeastern United States following introductions from Brazil and Bolivia.
Leptochilus acolhuus
Leptochilus acolhuus is a species of stinging wasp in the family Vespidae, subfamily Eumeninae. It was first described by de Saussure in 1857. The genus Leptochilus comprises potter wasps, solitary wasps known for constructing small mud nests. Published records for this species are limited.
Leptochilus rufinodus
Leptochilus rufinodus is a species of potter wasp in the subfamily Eumeninae. The species was described by Cresson in 1868. As a member of Leptochilus, it belongs to a genus characterized by small, slender mason wasps that construct mud nests. Very few observations of this species exist in public databases, indicating it may be genuinely rare, geographically restricted, or underreported.
Lestiphorus cockerelli
Lestiphorus cockerelli is a sand wasp species in the family Crabronidae (formerly treated as Bembicidae). It is native to North America, with confirmed records from Canada (Alberta) and the United States. The species was described by Rohwer in 1909 and is part of the diverse sand wasp fauna curated at major entomological collections including the University of California, Riverside Entomology Research Museum.
Lindenius
Lindenius is a genus of solitary wasps in the family Crabronidae containing 63 known species, predominantly distributed in the Palearctic with some Nearctic representatives. Species exhibit diverse prey specialization: L. pygmaeus armatus hunts chalcid wasps (primarily Pteromalidae), while L. albilabris preys on paralyzed spiders. Nests are excavated in sandy or loess soils, with burrows containing multiple cells provisioned with prey items. Adults are active from late May to late July and visit flowers for nectar.
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.
Liris
Liris is a large genus of solitary, ground-nesting wasps in the family Crabronidae, tribe Larrini, containing over 260 species worldwide with greatest diversity in the tropics. These wasps are among the earliest emerging solitary wasps in spring because females overwinter as adults. They are medium-sized, silvery-black wasps that hunt crickets as prey for their larvae. Only two species, L. argentatus and L. beata, occur consistently north of the extreme southern United States.
Liris apicipennis
Liris apicipennis is a species of solitary wasp in the family Crabronidae, tribe Larrini. The genus Liris contains over 260 species worldwide, with most diversity concentrated in tropical regions. Liris species are among the earliest solitary wasps to appear in spring, as females overwinter as adults. Like other members of its genus, L. apicipennis likely hunts crickets as prey and constructs underground nests, though specific biological details for this species remain poorly documented.
Liris argentatus
Square-headed Wasp
Liris argentatus is a solitary, square-headed wasp in the family Crabronidae. It is one of the most abundant and widespread species of its genus in North America, ranging from southern Canada to Panama. Females overwinter as adults and emerge early in spring, often being among the first solitary wasps observed. The species is a specialist predator of crickets, provisioning underground nests with paralyzed prey for its larvae.
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.
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.
Lyroda
square-headed wasps, cricket hunters
Lyroda is a genus of solitary, square-headed wasps in the family Crabronidae. The genus contains at least 26 described species, with most diversity occurring in Southeast Asia, Africa, Australia, and South America; one species, L. subita, is widespread in North America. Females are specialized hunters of crickets and related orthopterans, provisioning underground nests with paralyzed prey for their larvae.
Lyroda subita
square-headed wasp, cricket hunter
Lyroda subita is a solitary, medium-sized square-headed wasp in the family Crabronidae. Females construct underground nests and provision them with paralyzed crickets as food for their larvae. The species is distinguished from similar genera by its large arolia (tarsal foot pads) and three functional ocelli. It occurs across much of North America and has been documented using both typical cricket hosts and, in at least one case, pygmy mole crickets.
Maricopodynerus maricoporum
Maricopodynerus maricoporum is a species of potter wasp in the subfamily Eumeninae, first described by Viereck in 1908. The genus Maricopodynerus is a small group of solitary wasps endemic to arid regions of southwestern North America. As with other eumenine wasps, females construct mud nests provisioned with paralyzed caterpillars for their larvae. The species epithet 'maricoporum' refers to the Maricopa people or region in Arizona, indicating the type locality.
Maricopodynerus optimus
Maricopodynerus optimus is a species of potter wasp (subfamily Eumeninae) described by Bohart in 1988. The genus Maricopodynerus is part of the vespid wasp family and comprises species that construct mud nests. Like other eumenine wasps, this species is solitary and provisions its nests with paralyzed prey for larval development.
Mellinus
Mellinus is a genus of solitary digger wasps in the family Crabronidae, containing approximately 16-18 described species distributed across the Palearctic, Nearctic, Neotropical, and Oriental regions. These small wasps (8-10 mm) are specialized predators of muscoid flies, which they hunt primarily near fresh manure and other fly-aggregating resources. Females excavate burrows in sandy soil to provision cells with paralyzed flies for their larvae. The genus is notable for its distinctive petiolate abdomen and feline-like stalking behavior when capturing prey.
Mellinus abdominalis
Mellinus abdominalis is a species of digger wasp in the family Crabronidae, first described by Cresson in 1882. It is a rarely observed species native to North America, with confirmed records from Alberta, Canada. Like other members of the genus Mellinus, it is presumed to be a predator of muscoid flies, though specific biological observations for this species remain undocumented. The species is part of a small genus of solitary wasps that excavate burrows in sandy soil and provision cells with paralyzed fly prey.
Mimesa
Mimesa is a genus of solitary wasps in the family Crabronidae, subfamily Pemphredoninae. Species are distributed across Europe and North America. As members of Psenini, these wasps are aphid predators that provision their nests with paralyzed aphids for their larvae.
Mimumesa
Mimumesa is a genus of solitary wasps comprising 32 described species distributed across the Holarctic region. The genus was established by Malloch in 1933 and is currently classified in the family Crabronidae, subfamily Pemphredoninae. Species occur in Asia, Europe, and North America, with some showing specific habitat associations such as reed beds.
Miscophus slossonae
Miscophus slossonae is a species of solitary wasp in the family Crabronidae, tribe Miscophini. It belongs to a genus of thread-waisted wasps known for provisioning nests with spiders. The species was described in 1897 and is recorded from North America. Like other Miscophus species, it is presumed to be a spider-hunting wasp, though specific biological details for this species remain poorly documented.
Moniaecera
Moniaecera is a genus of solitary wasps in the family Crabronidae, established by William Harris Ashmead in 1899. It belongs to the tribe Crabronini within the subfamily Crabroninae, a group commonly known as sand wasps or digger wasps. The genus is poorly known, with extremely limited biological documentation and only three observations recorded on iNaturalist as of the available data. Members of Crabronidae are generally predatory, provisioning nests with paralyzed insects for their larvae.
Monobia
Four-toothed Mason Wasp (for M. quadridens), Carpenter Wasp, Mason Wasp
Monobia is a genus of medium-sized to large potter wasps in the subfamily Eumeninae, distributed primarily across the Neotropical region from the United States to Argentina. The genus is closely related to Montezumia. The most well-documented species, Monobia quadridens (Four-toothed Mason Wasp), is a solitary wasp that provisions nests with paralyzed caterpillars and constructs mud partitions between brood cells.
Monobia arizonensis
Monobia arizonensis is a species of mason wasp in the subfamily Eumeninae. Like other members of the genus Monobia, it is presumed to be a solitary wasp that utilizes pre-existing cavities for nesting. The species is native to the southwestern United States, specifically Arizona. Very little specific information has been published about its biology compared to the better-known congener Monobia quadridens.
Monobia quadridens
Four-toothed Mason Wasp, Carpenter Wasp
Monobia quadridens is a solitary potter wasp in the subfamily Eumeninae, native to eastern North America. Adults are striking black-and-white insects with a distinctive broad ivory band across the first abdominal tergite. The species is bivoltine, producing two generations annually, with one generation overwintering as pupae. Females construct multi-celled nests in pre-existing cavities, provisioning each cell with paralyzed caterpillars for their larvae.
Mutillidae
Velvet Ants, Hairy Ants, Panda Ants
Mutillidae, commonly known as velvet ants, are a family of solitary wasps comprising over 3,000 described species. Despite their common name, they are not ants but wingless female wasps that resemble large, hairy ants. The family exhibits striking sexual dimorphism: females are apterous (wingless), brightly colored, and possess a powerful sting, while males are winged and generally darker in coloration. Velvet ants are parasitoids of ground-nesting bees and wasps, with females actively searching for host nests to lay eggs on or near the host pupae or larvae. They form one of the world's largest known Müllerian mimicry complexes, with numerous species sharing aposematic red, orange, or yellow and black coloration to warn predators of their potent defensive capabilities.
Myrmilloides grandiceps
Myrmilloides grandiceps is a species of velvet ant (family Mutillidae) in the order Hymenoptera. Originally described as Mufilla grandiceps by Blake in 1872, it was later transferred to the genus Myrmilloides. The species epithet 'grandiceps' refers to the notably large head characteristic of this species. As with other mutillids, females are wingless and ant-like in appearance, while males possess wings. The genus Myrmilloides is part of the diverse velvet ant fauna of the New World.
Myrmosa
Myrmosa is a genus of solitary wasps in the family Myrmosidae. These insects are part of a small family of wasps that exhibit sexual dimorphism and unusual life history traits. The genus contains several described species, including Myrmosa atra, Myrmosa moesica, and Myrmosa unicolor. Taxonomic placement has been historically unstable, with some sources placing Myrmosidae as a subfamily within Mutillidae.
Myzinum carolinianum
Myzinum carolinianum is a thynnid wasp species native to North America. Like other members of its genus, it is a parasitoid of scarab beetle grubs, particularly those in the genus Phyllophaga. The species exhibits extreme sexual dimorphism: males are slender with long, straight antennae and a prominent curved pseudostinger (external genitalia), while females are larger-bodied with robust abdomens, stouter legs adapted for digging, and short, coiled antennae. Adults are active in late summer and autumn, frequently visiting flowers such as goldenrod and thoroughwort.
Nitela
Nitela is a genus of solitary wasps in the family Crabronidae, tribe Miscophini. The genus has a cosmopolitan distribution and was established by Latreille in 1809. As members of the Miscophini, species in this genus are presumed to be spider-hunting wasps, though specific biological details for most species remain poorly documented. The genus includes species such as N. amazonica and N. apoensis.
Nysson
Nysson is a Holarctic genus of kleptoparasitic wasps in the family Crabronidae. Over 100 species are known. These wasps are obligate kleptoparasites, meaning females exploit the food caches of other solitary wasps by locating host burrows, digging them open, destroying the host egg, and replacing it with their own. The larva then consumes the prey provisioned by the host mother.
Nysson lateralis
Nysson lateralis is a species of solitary wasp in the family Crabronidae, distributed across North America. It belongs to the subfamily Bembicinae and tribe Nyssonini, a group that includes kleptoparasitic wasps that exploit the nests of other crabronid wasps. The species was described by Packard in 1867. Like other members of the genus Nysson, it is presumed to be a nest parasite, though specific behavioral details for this species remain poorly documented.
Nysson plagiatus
Nysson plagiatus is a species of solitary wasp in the family Crabronidae, subfamily Bembicinae. It is a kleptoparasite that exploits the food caches of other solitary wasps, particularly species in the genus Hoplisoides that hunt treehoppers. The species was described by Cresson in 1882 and occurs in North America. Like other members of the genus Nysson, females locate host burrows, open them, destroy the host egg, and replace it with their own egg, allowing their larvae to consume the prey provisioned by the host wasp.
Nysson recticornis
Nysson recticornis is a species of solitary wasp in the family Crabronidae (formerly placed in Bembicidae). It is native to North America, with records from Canada including Alberta. The genus Nysson comprises kleptoparasitic wasps that exploit the nests of other solitary wasps, particularly those in the family Crabronidae. Like other members of its genus, N. recticornis likely targets the prey stores of host wasps for its own reproductive success.
Nysson rusticus
Nysson rusticus is a species of solitary wasp in the family Crabronidae (formerly placed in Bembicidae). The species occurs in North America and has two recognized subspecies: N. r. rusticus and N. r. sphecodoides. Like other members of the genus Nysson, this species is a nest parasite of ground-nesting crabronid wasps.
Nysson tristis
Nysson tristis is a species of solitary wasp in the family Crabronidae (formerly Bembicidae). It is a member of the genus Nysson, which comprises cleptoparasitic wasps that exploit the nests of other digger wasps. The species is known from North America, with records from Canada and the United States. Like other Nysson species, it likely targets the nests of sand wasps (Bembicini) as hosts.
Odontophotopsis arcuata
Odontophotopsis arcuata is a species of velvet ant in the family Mutillidae, described by Mickel in 1983. Velvet ants (Mutillidae) are a family of solitary wasps in which females are wingless and often possess aposematic coloration and a powerful sting. The genus Odontophotopsis is characterized by distinctive mandibular and dental structures. This species is part of a diverse group of North American mutillids, though specific biological details for O. arcuata remain poorly documented in published literature.
Odontophotopsis inconspicua
Odontophotopsis inconspicua is a species of velvet ant (family Mutillidae), a group of solitary wasps known for their aposematic coloration and powerful sting. The genus Odontophotopsis is characterized by distinctive mandibular and dental structures. Like other mutillids, females are wingless and resemble ants, while males possess wings. This species was described by Blake in 1886. Very little specific biological information has been published for this particular species.
Odontophotopsis setifera
Odontophotopsis setifera is a species of velvet ant in the family Mutillidae, described by Schuster in 1952. Velvet ants are solitary wasps in which females are wingless and often possess aposematic coloration. The genus Odontophotopsis is part of the diverse Mutillidae fauna of North America.
Oxybelus
spiny digger wasps
Oxybelus is the largest genus in the family Crabronidae, comprising approximately 264 described species of solitary wasps commonly known as spiny digger wasps. The genus has a cosmopolitan distribution, occurring worldwide except in the Australasian region, with particular diversity in the Palearctic. Species are specialized predators of flies (Diptera), exhibiting distinctive prey capture and transport behaviors. Multiple species have been studied for their unique sting morphology and reduced paralyzing sting sequence relative to other digger wasps.
Oxybelus bipunctatus
square-headed wasp
A square-headed wasp in the family Crabronidae with a broad geographic distribution spanning Africa, Europe, Northern Asia (excluding China), and North America. The species exhibits seasonal variation in nesting behavior and is known to provision nests with paralyzed flies. Two subspecies are recognized: O. b. bipunctatus and O. b. thermophilus.
Oxybelus cressonii
square-headed wasp
Oxybelus cressonii is a species of square-headed wasp in the family Crabronidae, described by C. Robertson in 1889. It belongs to a genus of predatory wasps that specialize in hunting flies. The species occurs in North America, with records from Canada and the United States. Like other Oxybelus species, it is a solitary wasp that provisions its nest with paralyzed prey.
Oxybelus emarginatus
square-headed wasp
Oxybelus emarginatus is a species of square-headed wasp in the family Crabronidae, first described by Thomas Say in 1837. The genus Oxybelus comprises predatory wasps commonly known as 'fly hunters' that provision their nests with paralyzed flies for their larvae. This species is found in North America, with records from the United States and Canada including Alberta.
Oxybelus sericeus
Oxybelus sericeus is a species of solitary wasp in the family Crabronidae, subfamily Crabroninae. The species is notable for exhibiting male nest guarding behavior, which is rare among sphecid wasps. Males have been observed remaining at nest entrances and actively defending nests against intruders, representing unusual paternal investment in this group. The species was described by C. Robertson in 1889 and is known from North America.