Solitary-wasp
Guides
Oxybelus uniglumis
square-headed wasp
Oxybelus uniglumis is a solitary digger wasp in the family Crabronidae, tribe Oxybelini. The species is specialized for hunting flies (Diptera), capturing them with an extremely concentrated stinging pattern that targets the prey's nervous system. Unlike many related wasps that deliver multiple stings to thoracic ganglia, O. uniglumis typically delivers only a single thoracic sting behind one foreleg base, reflecting the reduced ganglionic structure of fly prey. The species uses its sting apparatus not only for prey paralysis but also for transporting captured flies to nest sites.
Pachodynerus erynnis
Red-marked Pachodynerus Wasp, Red and Black Mason Wasp
Pachodynerus erynnis is a solitary mason wasp that specializes in hunting caterpillars to provision its nests. Unlike social wasps, it does not form colonies but constructs individual nests in pre-existing cavities. The species is valued as a biological control agent, targeting economically significant caterpillar pests including armyworms, cutworms, and loopers. Its frequent visits to flowers for nectar make it a minor pollinator as well.
Pachodynerus guadulpensis
Pachodynerus guadulpensis is a solitary mason wasp native to the Americas, ranging from Mexico through Central America into the southern United States (Arizona, California, Texas). This species belongs to the potter and mason wasp subfamily Eumeninae. Females construct linear nests of cylindrical mud cells in pre-existing cavities, primarily provisioning them with paralyzed caterpillars as food for their larvae. The species exhibits distinctive abdominal coloration with an extra yellow stripe across the front of the abdomen that separates it from its congener P. nasidens.
Pachodynerus pulverulentus
Keyhole wasp
Pachodynerus pulverulentus is a solitary mason wasp in the subfamily Eumeninae, commonly known as a keyhole wasp. It belongs to a genus of wasps that utilize pre-existing cavities in wood—such as abandoned beetle galleries, old nail holes, or hollow twigs—as nesting sites. Like other Pachodynerus species, females provision these cavities with paralyzed caterpillars as food for their developing larvae. The species was described by Viereck in 1908 and is part of a group of wasps known for their opportunistic nesting behavior and importance as biological control agents of caterpillar pests.
Palmodes
Palmodes is a genus of thread-waisted wasps in the family Sphecidae, comprising more than 20 described species. These solitary wasps are known for hunting katydids (Tettigoniidae), particularly large species such as Mormon crickets, which they paralyze and provision in underground burrows for their larval offspring. The genus has attracted scientific attention due to its role as a host for kleptoparasitic wasps in the genus Stizoides.
Palmodes dimidiatus
Palmodes dimidiatus is a species of thread-waisted wasp in the family Sphecidae. It is a solitary, ground-nesting wasp that hunts katydids (Tettigoniidae) as prey for its larval offspring. The species is known to be parasitized by the kleptoparasitic wasp Stizoides renicinctus, which raids its food caches. Palmodes dimidiatus occurs in North America and Middle America.
Palmodes praestans
Palmodes praestans is a thread-waisted wasp in the family Sphecidae, characterized by its distinctive thread-like petiole connecting the thorax and abdomen. The species is known to be kleptoparasitized by Stizoides renicinctus, which exploits its food caches of katydid prey. Like other members of its genus, it hunts katydids (Tettigoniidae) to provision underground nest cells for its larvae.
Parammoplanus
Parammoplanus is a genus of aphid wasps established by Pate in 1939. It contains approximately 19 described species. The genus belongs to the tribe Ammoplanina within the subfamily Pemphredoninae, a group of solitary wasps that specialize on aphid prey. These wasps are small, predatory insects that provision their nests with paralyzed aphids for their larvae.
Parancistrocerus
potter wasps, mason wasps
Parancistrocerus is a large genus of solitary potter wasps in the subfamily Eumeninae, distributed across the Nearctic, eastern Palearctic, Oriental, and Neotropical regions. The genus is distinguished by a unique morphological feature: a smooth depression at the base of the second metasomal tergum that functions as an acarinarium, providing shelter for symbiotic deutonymphs of mites in the family Winterschmidtiidae. Species are often difficult to distinguish from the related genus Stenodynerus, sharing medial pits on the anterior pronotum and expanded tegulae. Most species possess a transverse carina on the first metasomal tergum, and many Neotropical species exhibit a faint submetallic body luster.
Parancistrocerus bicornis
Parancistrocerus bicornis is a small mason wasp in the subfamily Eumeninae, described by Roberts in 1901. Like other members of the genus, it is a solitary, cavity-nesting wasp that provisions its nests with paralyzed caterpillars as food for its larvae. The species is part of a taxonomically challenging group where live specimens and even microscope examination often cannot reliably distinguish between closely related species such as Parancistrocerus and Stenodynerus.
Parancistrocerus bicornis ceanothi
Parancistrocerus bicornis ceanothi is a subspecies of mason wasp in the subfamily Eumeninae. It belongs to a genus of small, solitary cavity-nesting wasps that provision their nests with paralyzed caterpillars. The subspecies name "ceanothi" suggests a potential association with Ceanothus host plants, though this relationship requires verification. Like other Parancistrocerus species, it likely nests in pre-existing cavities such as hollow twigs or beetle borings.
Parancistrocerus declivatus
potter wasp
Parancistrocerus declivatus is a potter wasp in the family Vespidae, native to the southern coastal regions of California and Baja California. Originally described in the genus Stenodynerus, it was later transferred to Parancistrocerus. The type locality is La Laguna in the Sierra Laguna mountains of Baja California. Like other members of the subfamily Eumeninae, it is a solitary wasp that constructs nests from mud or other materials.
Parancistrocerus fulvipes
potter wasp
Parancistrocerus fulvipes is a solitary mason wasp in the family Vespidae, commonly known as the potter wasp. The species is recognized for its flexible nesting behavior, utilizing pre-existing cavities rather than constructing free-standing mud pots. It provisions nests with paralyzed caterpillars as food for its larvae. Two subspecies are recognized: P. f. fulvipes and P. f. rufovestis.
Parancistrocerus fulvipes rufovestis
Parancistrocerus fulvipes rufovestis is a subspecies of mason wasp in the subfamily Eumeninae, described by Bohart in 1948. It belongs to a genus of small solitary wasps that nest in pre-existing cavities and provision their offspring with paralyzed caterpillars. The subspecies designation indicates geographic variation within the species P. fulvipes, with rufovestis representing a distinct population.
Parancistrocerus pedestris
Parancistrocerus pedestris is a small solitary mason wasp in the family Vespidae, subfamily Eumeninae. The species was first described by de Saussure in 1856. Like other members of its genus, it is a cavity-nesting wasp that provisions its nests with paralyzed caterpillars as food for its larval offspring. The species is part of a taxonomically challenging group where live specimens are often difficult to distinguish from related species without microscopic examination.
Parancistrocerus pensylvanicus
Pennsylvania mason wasp
Parancistrocerus pensylvanicus is a solitary mason wasp in the subfamily Eumeninae. It is a cavity-nesting species that provisions nests with paralyzed caterpillars as food for its larvae. The species has been documented in the northeastern United States, including Vermont. Like other members of its genus, it is difficult to distinguish from closely related species such as Stenodynerus without microscopic examination.
Parancistrocerus perennis
two-banded mason wasp, perennial mason wasp
Parancistrocerus perennis, commonly known as the two-banded mason wasp or perennial mason wasp, is a small solitary wasp in the subfamily Eumeninae. It is native to eastern North America, ranging from southern Ontario to Florida and west to the Mississippi River. The species is a cavity-nesting predator that hunts specific caterpillar families to provision its nests. Two subspecies are recognized: P. p. perennis and P. p. anacardivora, the latter occurring in southern populations and distinguished by reddish markings.
Parancistrocerus perennis anacardivora
Parancistrocerus perennis anacardivora is a southern subspecies of the mason wasp Parancistrocerus perennis, distinguished by reddish markings along the side of the first abdominal segment. It is a small solitary wasp with a wing length of 6-8 millimeters. Females hunt caterpillars to provision nest cells in hollow twigs or pre-existing cavities, paralyzing prey with their sting. The subspecies ranges from southern Ontario to Florida and west to the Mississippi River, with anacardivora occurring in the southern portion of this range.
Parancistrocerus perennis perennis
mason wasp
Parancistrocerus perennis perennis is a small solitary mason wasp in the subfamily Eumeninae. Females hunt caterpillars of leafroller moths (Tortricidae) and casebearer moths (Coleophoridae), paralyzing them with their sting to provision nest cells in hollow twigs. The subspecies is distinguished from the southern P. p. anacardivora by lacking reddish markings on the first abdominal segment. It ranges from southern Ontario to Florida and west to the Mississippi River.
Parancistrocerus rectangulis
Parancistrocerus rectangulis is a small solitary mason wasp in the subfamily Eumeninae. Like other members of its genus, it nests in pre-existing cavities such as hollow twigs or beetle borings, provisioning cells with paralyzed caterpillars as food for its larvae. The species was described by Viereck in 1908. Specific natural history details for this species remain poorly documented in published literature, though genus-level traits suggest typical eumenine biology.
Parancistrocerus texensis
Parancistrocerus texensis is a species of solitary mason wasp in the subfamily Eumeninae. It is one of numerous small, cavity-nesting wasps in the genus Parancistrocerus that provision their larvae with paralyzed caterpillars. The species was described by Henri de Saussure in 1871, with the epithet suggesting a Texas origin. Like other members of its genus, it is difficult to distinguish from congeners without microscopic examination, and is frequently confused with similar genera such as Stenodynerus.
Parancistrocerus toltecus
Parancistrocerus toltecus is a small mason wasp in the subfamily Eumeninae. As a member of this genus, it is a solitary cavity-nesting wasp that provisions its nests with paralyzed caterpillars for its larval offspring. The species was described by de Saussure in 1857. Like other Parancistrocerus species, it likely utilizes pre-existing hollow twigs or beetle borings in dead wood for nest construction. Very little specific information has been published about the natural history of this particular species.
Parancistrocerus vagus
Parancistrocerus vagus is a small solitary mason wasp in the subfamily Eumeninae. It belongs to a genus of cavity-nesting wasps that provision their young with paralyzed caterpillars. The species was described by de Saussure in 1857. Limited specific information is available for this species, though genus-level traits suggest typical mason wasp biology including use of pre-existing cavities and caterpillar prey.
Paratiphia robusta
Paratiphia robusta is a species of wasp in the family Tiphiidae, a group of solitary wasps known for their parasitoid relationships with scarab beetle larvae. The genus Paratiphia belongs to a family whose members are typically ground-nesting and exhibit host-specific parasitism. Limited published information exists specifically for this species, with most knowledge derived from broader family-level characteristics and sparse collection records. The species has been documented through a small number of observations, suggesting it may be uncommon or underreported.
Passaloecus
Picket-boring Aphid Wasps
Passaloecus is a genus of small solitary wasps in the family Crabronidae, commonly known as picket-boring aphid wasps. The genus comprises approximately 40-48 species worldwide, with strong representation in both the Nearctic and Palearctic regions. These diminutive wasps, typically 6-8 mm in body length, are specialized predators of aphids and serve as important biological control agents. Females construct nests in pre-existing cavities such as beetle borings in dead wood, hollow stems, and artificial trap nests, provisioning cells with paralyzed or dead aphids for their larval offspring.
Passaloecus annulatus
Passaloecus annulatus is a small solitary wasp in the family Crabronidae, subfamily Pemphredoninae. Females hunt aphids as food for their larval offspring and also feed on aphid honeydew. The species nests in pre-existing cavities such as beetle borings in dead wood, hollow stems, or vacant galls, partitioning these into linear series of cells. It occurs across North America.
Passaloecus cuspidatus
aphid wasp
Passaloecus cuspidatus is a small solitary wasp in the family Crabronidae, subfamily Pemphredoninae. It is an aphid predator that provisions its nests with paralyzed or dead aphids as food for its larvae. The species is found in North America, including Canada and the United States. Like other members of its genus, it nests in pre-existing cavities such as beetle borings in dead wood, hollow stems, and vacant galls.
Pemphredon
Typical Aphid Wasps, Aphid Wasps
Pemphredon is a genus of small to medium-sized solitary wasps in the family Crabronidae, commonly known as aphid wasps. The genus contains approximately 37 recognized species distributed across the Holarctic and northern Oriental regions. Females are specialized predators of aphids, which they hunt to provision nest cells for their larvae. These wasps are considered beneficial insects in agricultural and garden settings due to their role in aphid population control.
Pemphredon inornata
aphid wasp
Pemphredon inornata is a small solitary wasp in the family Crabronidae, commonly known as an aphid wasp. The species hunts aphids as prey for its larvae, paralyzing them and transporting them to nest cavities in hollow stems, twig pith, or pre-existing holes in wood. It is one of approximately 20 recognized Pemphredon species in North America north of Mexico. The wasp has been documented exhibiting rapid, evasive flight that allows it to bypass ant guards at aphid colonies.
Pemphredonina
Pemphredonina is a subtribe of small aphid-hunting wasps within the family Crabronidae. Members are solitary predators that provision nests with aphids as food for their larvae. The subtribe includes genera such as Passaloecus, which are notable for their ecological role in aphid population control and their use of pre-existing cavities for nesting.
Pemphredonini
Pemphredonini is a tribe of small, solitary wasps within the subfamily Pemphredoninae (family Crabronidae). These apoid wasps are commonly known as aphid wasps due to their specialized predation on aphids and other small Hemiptera. The tribe contains multiple genera, including the widespread Pemphredon. Adults are often observed visiting flowers for nectar.
Pepsis
tarantula hawks, New World Tarantula-hawk Wasps
Pepsis is a genus of large spider wasps in the family Pompilidae, commonly known as tarantula hawks. These wasps are among the largest stinging insects in the world and are restricted to the Americas. Females hunt tarantulas and other large mygalomorph spiders, paralyzing them with a sting to serve as living food for their larvae. Adults feed primarily on nectar, especially from milkweed flowers. The genus is closely related to Hemipepsis, which occurs in both Old and New Worlds.
Pepsis basifusca
tarantula hawk
Pepsis basifusca is a species of tarantula hawk wasp in the family Pompilidae, described by Lucas in 1895. As a member of the genus Pepsis, it is a large, solitary spider wasp that hunts tarantulas to provision nests for its larvae. The species is part of a diverse genus of tarantula hawks found primarily in the Americas, known for their potent sting and aposematic coloration.
Phanagenia
Phanagenia is a genus of spider wasps in the tribe Ageniellini, family Pompilidae. The genus contains only one species in North America, Phanagenia bombycina. These wasps are solitary hunters that construct mud nests to house their offspring, provisioning them with paralyzed spiders.
Phanagenia bombycina
Phanagenia bombycina is a solitary spider wasp in the family Pompilidae, tribe Auplopini. It constructs delicate mud barrel nests to house paralyzed spider prey and developing larvae. The species is found east of the Rocky Mountains and is slightly larger than related Auplopus species. Uniquely, it frequently builds its mud cells inside the abandoned nests of the pipe organ mud dauber (Trypoxylon politum).
Philanthini
Philanthini is a tribe of wasps within the family Crabronidae, established by Latreille in 1802. Members are commonly known as beewolves or bee-killer wasps due to their specialized predatory behavior. The tribe includes genera such as Philanthus, which are notable for their distinctive hunting strategies and, in some species, the use of symbiotic bacteria to protect larval food stores. These wasps are solitary and nest in soil, provisioning their offspring with paralyzed bees.
Philanthus
beewolves, bee-hunters, bee-killer wasps
Philanthus is a genus of solitary predatory wasps commonly known as beewolves. Adult females excavate underground burrows in sandy soils and provision them with paralyzed bees as food for their larvae. Males are highly territorial, marking vegetation with pheromones to defend mating territories. The genus contains approximately 136 species worldwide, with about 30 species occurring in North America. These wasps are important pollinators as adults and serve as population regulators of bee communities.
Philanthus bicinctus
Bumble Bee Wolf, Bumblebee Wolf
Philanthus bicinctus, commonly known as the Bumblebee Wolf, is a species of beewolf wasp endemic to the American Rockies. This solitary wasp is notable for its specialized predation on bumblebees, which it paralyzes to provision underground nests for its larvae. Research conducted at Yellowstone National Park has documented large aggregations of this species and its significant potential to influence pollinator dynamics and insect-flower interactions. Males exhibit strong territorial behavior, defending hilltops and elevated areas to secure mating opportunities.
Philanthus bilunatus
Two Moons Beewolf
Philanthus bilunatus is a solitary wasp in the family Crabronidae, commonly known as the Two Moons Beewolf. Like other beewolves in the genus Philanthus, it is a predator of bees and wasps, which it paralyzes to provision underground nests for its larvae. The species is found in North America, with records from Canada and the United States. As a member of the subfamily Philanthinae, it shares behavioral traits with related beewolves including territorial males and nest excavation in sandy soils.
Philanthus crabroniformis
beewolf
Philanthus crabroniformis is a species of bee-hunting wasp, commonly known as a 'beewolf,' native to North America. The species belongs to the family Crabronidae and primarily preys upon bees in the family Halictidae. Females construct nests in sandy soils and provision them with paralyzed prey for their larval offspring. The species has been documented in sympatry with P. gibbosus, with which it shares similar prey preferences but exhibits distinctive nest approach behaviors that may represent an evolutionary response to parasitic pressure from miltogrammine flies.
Philanthus gibbosus
Hump-backed Beewolf, Beewolf
Philanthus gibbosus, commonly known as the hump-backed beewolf, is a solitary bee-hunting wasp and the most common and widespread member of its genus in North America. Females construct underground burrows in sandy soils and provision them with paralyzed bees as food for their larvae. The species exhibits a bivoltine life cycle with two generations per year, and shows a tendency toward temporary communal nesting behavior unusual for solitary wasps.
Philanthus gloriosus
Bee-wolf
Philanthus gloriosus is a bee-hunting wasp in the family Crabronidae, occurring west of the 100th meridian in North America. As a member of the beewolf genus Philanthus, females hunt bees to provision underground nests for their larvae. The species ranges from the Canadian prairies through the western United States to central Mexico.
Philanthus lepidus
Pleasant Beewolf
Philanthus lepidus is a species of beewolf wasp in the family Crabronidae, native to North America. Like other members of the genus Philanthus, females are solitary hunters that provision underground nests with paralyzed bees as food for their larvae. The species has been the subject of limited behavioral study, with at least one published account of its nesting behavior. It is one of approximately 30 Philanthus species occurring in North America.
Philanthus multimaculatus
beewolf, bee-hunting wasp
Philanthus multimaculatus is a common North American beewolf wasp in the family Crabronidae. Females are solitary nesters that excavate burrows in sandy soil, often in aggregations with conspecifics. They provision nest cells with paralyzed bees, primarily sweat bees (Halictidae), and lay a single egg on each prey item. Males exhibit territorial behavior, perching on grass stems near nesting areas to intercept females and chase rival males. Adults visit flowers for nectar and serve as pollinators while also functioning as predators that regulate bee populations.
Philanthus pacificus
Pacific beewolf
Philanthus pacificus is a solitary wasp species in the beewolf genus Philanthus, native to western North America. As a member of the Crabronidae family, females are known to provision underground nests with paralyzed bees as food for their developing larvae. The species occurs from southwestern British Columbia through California to Baja California and Sonora, Mexico. Two subspecies are recognized: P. p. arizonae and the nominate P. p. pacificus.
Philanthus politus
beewolf
Philanthus politus is a species of beewolf wasp in the family Crabronidae, characterized by distinctive white striping. As a solitary hunting wasp, females prey on bees to provision underground nests for their larvae. The species is part of the diverse genus Philanthus, which contains approximately 30 species in North America and about 136 species worldwide.
Philanthus sanbornii
Sanborn's Beewolf
Philanthus sanbornii is a species of beewolf wasp in the family Crabronidae, native to North America. Unlike many congeners that specialize on bees, this species has been documented as a predator of flies (Diptera), particularly small muscoid flies. Females construct simple burrows in sandy soil, capture and paralyze prey, and provision nests for their larval offspring. A five-year study in eastern Massachusetts documented over 3,000 prey items from 108 species of bees and wasps, though subsequent research in Florida identified flies as the primary prey. The species exhibits selective prey capture based on temporal availability, spatial distribution, sex ratio, and body size of available prey.
Philanthus solivagus
Philanthus solivagus is a species of beewolf wasp in the family Crabronidae. It is found in North America, with records from Canada including Alberta. As a member of the genus Philanthus, it shares the characteristic behavior of preying on bees and other hymenopterans to provision nests for its larvae.
Philanthus ventilabris
Flat-collared Beewolf
Philanthus ventilabris is a solitary bee-hunting wasp ("beewolf") in the family Crabronidae. It occurs throughout North America and has been documented visiting flowers for nectar. Like other beewolves, females provision underground nests with paralyzed bees as food for their larvae. The species was first described by Fabricius in 1798.
Photomorphus banksi
Photomorphus banksi is a species of velvet ant (family Mutillidae), a group of wasps in which females are wingless and often brightly colored. The genus Photomorphus belongs to the diverse Mutillidae family, characterized by dense hair and aposematic coloration. As with other velvet ants, females are solitary and ground-dwelling, while males possess wings. This species is known from a small number of observations, suggesting it may be uncommon or undercollected.