Wasps (Hymenoptera, Apocrita)

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References:

https://atlasoflife.org.au/resources/know-your-wasps

https://www.ozanimals.com/wildlife/Insect/Wasps.html

https://keys.lucidcentral.org/search/what-wasp-is-that/

Front Page of Interactive Key to Wasp Families

Wasps (Hymenoptera, Apocrita)

Flower Wasps (Scoliidae, Thynnidae or Tiphiidae)

Parasitic wasps (numerous families)

Potter wasps (Vespidae, Eumeninae)

Sand or digger wasps (Crabronidae & Sphecidae)

Social or paper-nest wasps (Vespidae, Polistinae & Vespinae)

Spider wasps (Pompilidae)

Other wasps

Velvet Ants (Mutillidae)

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Discussion

DiBickers wrote:

8 hrs ago

Without a clear view of the wing tips I can’t really tell if this is Polistes humilis ssp. synoecus or Polistes stigma.

Polistes sp. (genus)

DiBickers wrote:

8 hrs ago

@Hejor1 tricky one, at first glance I think the colouration looks similar to Polistes humilis, however the definition and placement of the black marking near the wing tip would indicate this is likely to be Polistes stigma. Given your location, I’m going to Verify it as the latter, but happy to be corrected.

Polistes stigma

DiBickers wrote:

27 May 2025

@MartinPredavec if we widen the search, it’s possible it could be in Subfamily Bembicinae which include the Cicada-killer Wasps in Genus Exeirus. Most of the Cicada-killer Wasps in Genus Exeirus that I’ve seen have orange wings and legs like yours, but have black bodies with a predominantly orange abdomen with black lines which yours doesn’t. Yours also has a black marking near the wing tip which is another reason I think it points to Spider Wasp (Family Pompilidae). I would only be guessing unfortunately and I’m not an entomologist. I would suggest changing your iNat observation to Family Pompilidae and see if you get any nibbles on a further suggestion but it’s a tricky one given we can’t see some other angles unfortunately. Sorry Martin, I wish I could be of more assistance for you😊

Apocrita (suborder)

MartinPredavec wrote:

27 May 2025

@DiBickers thanks for the thoughtful ID. I had forgotten about this observation. Shortly after submitting the observation (with a wrong id) there were many cicada-killer wasps around which had similar appearance and size. What do you think?

Apocrita (suborder)

DiBickers wrote:

25 May 2025

@HelenCross has someone suggested Genus Ammophila for you? Their waists and abdomens appear to be more elongated than yours. I would suggest these are likely Tyde’s Sand Wasps (Podalonia tydei).

Ammophila sp. (genus)