DIGITAL FIELD GUIDE: WASPS (Order: Hymenoptera)
Eumeninae group
Parancistrocerus minimoferus
Parancistrocerus pensylvanicus
Parancistrocerus texensis
Stenodynerous bleharus
Stenodynerous oculeus
Identification features: The Eumeninae subfamily is a large and varied group of the even larger and more varied Vespid family of wasps. The Eumenids are commonly known as potter or mason wasps. We found three genera of Eumenid wasps in the Gardens. The most distinctive genus is Eumenes and is described separately. Wasps from the other two genera are small, about ¼ of an inch long, and nearly impossible to identify without collecting specimens.
The identification of a wasp to the family Vespidae can be done based on a few relatively simple characters: Vespid wasps hold their wings folded longitudinally when at rest, they have a V-shaped pronotum, and their eyes are deeply notched along the inner margin. At least five species of small, black and yellow Vespid wasps (all subfamily Eumeninae) have been observed in the Gardens. Their bodies are black with yellow, pale yellow, or white markings, including rings around the abdomen, shoulder patches, under-wing patches, patches on the dorsal thorax and ventral abdomen, and facial markings.
Nesting habit and prey: Not much is known about the biology of these little Eumenid wasps, though they are grouped with the potter and mason wasps. Not all potter and mason wasps build nests of mud; some build in pre-existing cavities in stems and twigs. One study indicates the prey of one species (Parancistrocerus pensylvanicus) is moth caterpillars. Prey of the others is assumed to be caterpillars as well.
Eumenid wasps as pollinator: These little wasps have short tongues and have been observed on a variety of plants such as purple ground cherry, mistflower, Apache plume, mortonia, sumacs, salvias, and various composites.
Parancistrocerus pensylvanicus
Stenodynerus sp.
Stenodynerus sp.
