Crabronidae

Pronunciation:  [Crab·RON·i·dee]

Common Name:   Hunting Wasps;  Digger Wasps;  Cicada Killer Wasps

Description:   Members of the Crabronidae are solitary hunting wasps.  The female excavates a nest in soil and provisions it with prey (usually other insects or spiders) that have been paralyzed by her sting.   The pronotum is short and collar-like with a rounded lobe on each side that does not reach the tegula.

Spot ID Key Characters:

1. Pronotum short and collar-like with a rounded lobe on each side that does not reach the tegula
2. Inner margin of compound eye smoothly rounded (not notched)
3. Abdomen attached to thorax by a very short petiole

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Order:  Hymenoptera