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

Ammophila sp.
Mono Co., just east of Tioga Pass, CA
16 July 2007

This sphecid found a juicy caterpillar for lunch

Ammophila sp.
Mono Co., just east of Tioga Pass, CA
16 July 2007
Ammophila sp.
Mono Co., just east of Tioga Pass, CA
16 July 2007

probably Ammophila sp.
Jones Co., NC
19 July 2008

probably a Sphex sp.
Pender Co., NC
13 Sep 2009

This active, large black and gold wasp with a glowing gold face was quite striking!

probably a Sphex sp.
Pender Co., NC
13 Sep 2009
probably a Sphex sp.
Pender Co., NC
13 Sep 2009
probably a Sphex sp.
Pender Co., NC
13 Sep 2009

Eastern Cicada Killer (Sphecius speciosus) Eastern Cicada Killer (Sphecius speciosus)
Durham Co., NC
5 July 2010

Two cicada killers in a tussle...

Eastern Cicada Killer (Sphecius speciosus) Eastern Cicada Killer (Sphecius speciosus)
Durham Co., NC
5 July 2010

These very large wasps live in the ground and attack cicadas, using them to feed their young.

Eastern Cicada Killer (Sphecius speciosus) Eastern Cicada Killer (Sphecius speciosus)
Durham Co., NC
5 July 2010

Common in eastern North America at the edge of woods, gardens, waste places, etc.

Eastern Cicada Killer (Sphecius speciosus) Eastern Cicada Killer (Sphecius speciosus)
Durham Co., NC
5 July 2010

Eastern Cicada Killer (Sphecius speciosus) Eastern Cicada Killer (Sphecius speciosus)
Durham Co., NC
5 July 2010

The tussle finally ended with one flying off and this one lying here for about 10 seconds before righting itself and flying off, too!


Thread-waisted Wasp (Eremnophila aureonotata)
Durham Co., NC
8 Sep 2010

Back to Jeff's Miscellaneous Invertebrates Page | Jeff's Nature Pages

Created on ... Oct 26, 2007 | jeffpippen9@gmail.com