The Micro-Wasps Categories: All Insects Micro-Wasps Pollinators Wasps Last review date: 2026-04-29 10:09 Last edit date: Micro-wasps feeding on the nectar of a Mariposa Lily Photo by: D.G. James Biology There are about 20 families that contain micro-wasps, barely visible, without a hand lens or microscope. There are many thousands of species of these micro-wasps […]
Ichneumonidae and Braconidae: Ichneumons and Braconids Categories: Ichneumonidae and Braconidae Pollinators Wasps Last review date: 2026-06-14 09:11 Last edit date: Ichneumon wasp (Trogus sp.) (Ichneumonidae) Photo by: D.G. James Biology This group of parasitic wasps comprises many species that target caterpillars, beetles and flies. The Ichneumonidae is the largest family of wasps with more than […]
Scoliidae: Scoliid Wasps Categories: Pollinators Scoliidae Wasps Last review date: 2026-04-26 09:29 Last edit date: A Scoliid wasp (likely Crioscolia alcione) feeding on nectar and pollen from buckwheat flowers (Eriogonum sp.) Photo by: Jane Abel Biology The family Scoliidae is composed of fairly large, stout-bodied wasps, usually brightly patterned in red and yellow or white, […]
Crabronidae: Square-headed wasps, Sand wasps Categories: Crabronidae Pollinators Wasps Last review date: 2026-04-26 09:27 Last edit date: Pacific Cicada Killer, Sphecius convallis, feeding on milkweed (Asclepias fascicularis) flowers Photo by: D.G. James Biology The Crabronidae is one of our most diverse wasp families, with over 1,200 species in the U.S. and almost 9,000 species worldwide. […]
Sphecidae: Thread-waisted Wasps Categories: Pollinators Sphecidae Wasps Last review date: 2026-04-26 09:26 Last edit date: A sphecid wasp (Ammophila sp.) carrying caterpillar prey Photo by: D.G. James Biology Sphecids are medium to large solitary digging wasps with about 54 species in our region. They are an extremely diverse group of hunters with great variation in […]
Pompilidae: Spider Wasps Categories: Pollinators Pompilidae Wasps Last review date: 2026-04-26 09:26 Last edit date: A Spider wasp (Episyron sp.) subduing an Orb weaver spider for provisioning its nest. Photo by: Jane Abel Biology Spider wasps are a very diverse family with 300 species in North America. As their name suggests, they specialize in hunting […]
Chrysididae: Cuckoo Wasps Categories: Chrysididae Pollinators Wasps Last review date: 2026-04-27 08:28 Last edit date: Cuckoo wasp (Hedychrum sp.) on Desert Parsley (Lomatium sp.) Photo by: Jane Abel Biology Of the more than 200 species of Cuckoo wasps in North America, most occur in the west. Most species are metallic green, blue green or purple […]
Thynnidae: Flower Wasps Categories: Pollinators Thynnidae Wasps Last review date: 2026-04-26 08:50 Last edit date: Flower wasp: Myzinum sp. (Thynnidae) on Rabbitbrush Photo by: D.G. James Biology Flower wasps are a large family of solitary wasps whose larvae parasitize underground dwelling beetle larvae like scarabs. Most species are small and inconspicuous, but some may be […]
Vespidae: Paper Wasps, Yellowjackets, Hornets and Potter Wasps Categories: Pollinators Vespidae Wasps Last review date: 2026-04-26 08:47 Last edit date: Introduced European paper wasp, Polistes dominula (Vespidae) on Rabbitbrush Photo by: D.G. James Biology Wasps in the family Vespidae are the most dominant generalist pollinators. The social vespid wasps are familiar to most home gardeners […]
Wasps: Introduction Categories: Pollinators Wasps Wasps Intro Last review date: 2026-04-26 08:44 Last edit date: A sphecid wasp foraging on Rabbitbrush, picking up pollen. Photo by: D.G. James Biology Closely related to bees, wasps are important pollinators although their importance varies between family, genera and species. Wasps are carnivorous during their development, only becoming avid […]