Sphecidae Wasps

by Jeffrey S. Pippen | Back to Jeff's Miscellaneous Invertebrates Page | Jeff's Nature Pages

Sphecid wasps have long, stalked abdomen, giving them a thread-waisted appearance. Adults feed mostly on nectar, sap, and fluids of prey items (various other arthropods) that they stock the nest with for their larvae to feed on.
Great Golden Digger (Sphex ichneumoneus) Great Golden Digger (Sphex ichneumoneus)
Powerline clearing in Jones Co., NC
21 Oct 2007
Great Golden Digger (Sphex ichneumoneus) Great Golden Digger (Sphex ichneumoneus) with male Polistes metricus (Vespidae) back right
Powerline clearing in Jones Co., NC
21 Oct 2007

thread-waist wasp (Isodontia sp.) grass-carrying wasp (Isodontia sp.)
Powerline clearing in Jones Co., NC
21 Oct 2007

Great Black Wasp (Sphex pensylvanicus) Great Black Wasp (Sphex pensylvanicus)
Craven Co., NC
26 Aug 2007

Although it didn't show up in these photos, this wasp's wings have a violet sheen in the right light.

Great Black Wasp (Sphex pensylvanicus) Great Black Wasp (Sphex pensylvanicus)
Craven Co., NC
26 Aug 2007

This sphecid found a juicy caterpillar for lunch
Mono Co., just east of Tioga Pass, CA
16 July 2007
Mono Co., just east of Tioga Pass, CA
16 July 2007
Mono Co., just east of Tioga Pass, CA
16 July 2007

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Created on ... Oct 26, 2007 | jspippen@duke.edu