The Micro-Wasps categories: Micro-Wasps Pollinators Wasps revision date: 2023-03-24 12:00 Micro-wasps feeding on the nectar of a Mariposa LilyPhoto 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 and most of them utilize flowers as […]
Ichneumonidae and Braconidae: Ichneumons and Braconids categories: Ichneumonidae and Braconidae Pollinators Wasps revision date: 2023-03-28 12:00 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 24,000 species worldwide, and about […]
Scoliidae: Scoliid Wasps categories: Pollinators Scoliidae Wasps revision date: 2023-03-24 12:00 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, sometimes in combination with black. […]
Crabronidae: Square-headed wasps, Sand wasps categories: Crabronidae Pollinators Wasps revision date: 2023-03-24 12:00 Pacific Cicada Killer, Sphecius convallis, feeding on milkweed (Asclepias fascicularis) flowersPhoto 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. Most species are also unique […]
Sphecidae: Thread-waisted Wasps categories: Pollinators Sphecidae Wasps revision date: 2023-03-24 12:00 A sphecid wasp (Ammophila sp.) carrying caterpillar preyPhoto 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 body size and form. They […]
Pompilidae: Spider Wasps categories: Pollinators Pompilidae Wasps revision date: 2023-03-24 12:00 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 for spiders and rarely feed […]
Chrysididae: Cuckoo Wasps categories: Chrysididae Pollinators Wasps revision date: 2023-03-24 12:00 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 and superficially resemble green sweat […]
Thynnidae: Flower Wasps categories: Pollinators Thynnidae Wasps revision date: 2023-03-24 12:00 Flower wasp: Myzinum sp. (Thynnidae) on RabbitbrushPhoto 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 up to an inch in […]
Vespidae: Paper Wasps, Yellowjackets, Hornets and Potter Wasps categories: Pollinators Vespidae Wasps revision date: 2023-03-24 12:00 Introduced European paper wasp, Polistes dominula (Vespidae) on RabbitbrushPhoto 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 and despite their fearsome reputation, […]
Wasps: Introduction categories: Pollinators Wasps Wasps Intro revision date: 2023-03-24 12:00 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 sugar and carbohydrate seekers as […]