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:

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)

DiBickers wrote:

17 May 2025

Likely Genus Tachytes or Genus Tachysphex

Larrini (Tribe)

DiBickers wrote:

15 May 2025

Polistes humilis ssp. humilis

Polistes (Polistella) humilis