thread-waisted wasp

(Subfamily Sphecinae)

Overview
thread-waisted wasp (Sphecinae)
Photo by Margot Avey
 

Sphecinae is a subfamily of common thread-waisted wasps. There are more than 270 species in 5 genera worldwide, 35 species in 4 genera North America north of Mexico, and at least 10 species in Minnesota.

Females build nests in the ground and provision them with paralyzed insects or spiders.

     
           
 
Description
 
 

The base of the abdomen is contracted into a thin stalk, making the body appear “thread-waisted”. On the middle leg there are two spurs at the tip of the fourth leg segment (tibia). There are two lobes at the base of the hindwing. The inner lobe (vannal lobe) is large.

 
     
 
Distribution
 
 

Distribution Map

 

Sources

7, 24, 27, 30, 82.

 
  10/26/2021      
         
 
Taxonomy
 
 

Order

Hymenoptera (ants, bees, wasps, and sawflies)  
 

Suborder

Apocrita (narrow-waisted wasps, ants, and bees)  
 

Infraorder

Aculeata (ants, bees, and stinging wasps)  
 

Superfamily

Apoidea (apoid wasps, bees, sphecoid wasps)  
 

Family

Sphecidae (thread-waisted wasps)  
 

Subfamily

Sphecinae  
       
 

Subordinate Taxa

 
 

Tribe Prionychini

Tribe Sphecini

Tribe Stangeellini

 
       
 

Synonyms

 
 

 

 
       
 

Common Names

 
 

thread-waisted wasp

 
       

 

 

 

 

 

 

Glossary

Tibia

The fourth segment of an insect leg, after the femur and before the tarsus (foot).

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 
 
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Margot Avey

 
    thread-waisted wasp (Sphecinae)      
           
 
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  Margot Avey
8/23/2018

Location: Lake Harriet Trial Gardens in Minneapolis

thread-waisted wasp (Sphecinae)  
           
 
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