square-headed wasps
(Subfamily Crabroninae)
Overview • Description • Distribution • Taxonomy
Overview |
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Crabroninae is a subfamily of wasps known as square-headed wasps. There are about 4,660 species in more than 100 genera in 7 tribes worldwide, about 520 species in 31 genera in 6 tribes in North America north of Mexico, and at least 68 species in Minnesota. These are solitary, predatory wasps. They are usually found on flowers. The female makes a nest in a hollow stem, an abandoned gallery in wood, or in the ground. She lays her eggs in paralyzed, living prey. Most species prey on flies. |
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Description |
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Most species are 5 ⁄16″ to ¾″ long. The thorax and abdomen on most are black with yellowish markings. The upper surface of the first thoracic segment (pronotum) is short and collar-like. The body hairs are unbranched. The head and eyes are large and together are squarish in appearance. The antennae bases are very low on the face. The wing veins extend nearly to the margin. There is only a single submarginal cell on the forewing. The outermost tip (apex) of the marginal cell is squared off. On the hind legs the first of the group of terminal segments (tarsi) is slender. |
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Distribution |
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| 2/19/2021 | ||||
Taxonomy |
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Order |
Hymenoptera (ants, bees, wasps, and sawflies) | ||
Suborder |
Apocrita (narrow-waisted wasps, ants, and bees) | ||
Infraorder |
Aculeata (ants, bees, and stinging wasps) | ||
Superfamily |
Apoidea (bees and apoid wasps) | ||
Family |
Crabronidae (square-headed wasps, sand wasps, and allies) | ||
Subordinate Taxa |
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Tribe Bothynostethini Tribe Larrini Tribe Miscophini Tribe Oxybelini Tribe Palarini Tribe Trypoxylini |
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Synonyms |
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Common Names |
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square-headed wasps |
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Glossary
Pronotum
The exoskeletal plate on the upper side of the first segment of the thorax of an insect.
Tarsus
The last two to five sections of an insect’s leg, attached to the tibia; the foot.
Visitor Photos |
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Bill Reynolds |
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_01.jpg "square-headed wasp (Subfamily Crabroninae)") |
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MinnesotaSeasons.com Photos |
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Slideshows |
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Visitor Videos |
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Other Videos |
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| Male Square-headed Wasp BinghamKeiser |
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About
Published on Feb 9, 2014 This guy works out :) It has an extended front tibiae that looks like a shield. He was running around a Pomelo tree in the orchard. |
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| Square-headed Wasps (Crabronidae: Ectemnius or Crabro?) Mating Behavior, Part 1 of 2 Carl Barrentine |
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About
Carl Barrentine Photographed at the Turtle River State Park, North Dakota (12 June 2012). Thank you to John Ascher (@Bugguide.net) for identifying the family and subfamily for these wasps! |
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| Square-headed Wasps (Crabronidae: Ectemnius or Crabro?) Mating Behavior, Part 2 of 2 Carl Barrentine |
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About
Published on Jun 13, 2012 Photographed at the Turtle River State Park, North Dakota (12 June 2012). Thank you to John Ascher (@Bugguide.net) for identifying the family and subfamily for these wasps! |
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Visitor Sightings |
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| This button not working for you? Simply email us at info@MinnesotaSeasons.com. Be sure to include a location. |
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| Bill Reynolds 8/4/2003 |
Location: St. Louis Co., MN |
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MinnesotaSeasons.com Sightings |
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Created 9/19/2014
Last Updated: