Suburban-wildlife
Guides
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 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.