The Genus Sphex, DY 5 at the CB

As everyone knows, we are working hard at the CB to identify our insects. Progress is slow but sure except for the bees. We are not making much progress with the bees. Bees are really hard.

Yet wasps are one example of exhibited good progress. Consider this. When we started our survey of the CB insects, we could not identify any wasp to species. That’s plenty sad
considering the vast assortment of wasps that live at or visit the CB and their obvious importance to life as we know it.

So presented here is a pictorial rundown of the genus Sphex in these parts. As may be readily discerned, they are fond of Solidago altissima. Yes. The most common plants are usually the best plants.

Sphex habenus








Sphex habenus female











Sphex ichneumoneus











Sphex lucae OOPS! This is actually more likely to be the similarly colored Prionyx parkeri. Yes. Crumby discovered a bunch more pictures of this one that better illustrate the golden hairs on its head and thorax. Sphex lucae is blacker overall. Also the palps are more like Prionyx parkeri. Learn along with Crumby.






Sphex pensylvanicus