DIGITAL FIELD GUIDE: WASPS (Order: Hymenoptera)
Tachytes sp.
<-- from Key Location 16a
Identification features: Two species of Tachytes have been observed in the Botanical Gardens: Tachytes aurulentus and Tachytes exornatus. These wasps have abdomens closely attached to the thorax (sessile), making them quite distinct from the thread-waisted wasps. Tachytes exornatus is a brownish wasp, less than an inch long, with red legs. Tachytes aurulentus is a black wasp with black legs. If the light is right you can see that these wasps have wide, shiny, incomplete rings around their abdomens. Looking under a microscope, you can see that these rings are made up of tiny hairs lying flat against the abdomen. When the sun hits them they sparkle, otherwise you may not notice them at all. If you get a look at their faces, you can see their large green eyes.
Nesting habit and prey: These wasps are solitary ground nesters. The female digs a burrow in sandy soil, then she hunts for her katydid prey to provision her nest.
Tachytes as pollinator: Tachytes has been observed nectaring on plants with shallow flowers such as crotons, Texas kidneywood, milkweeds, mortonia, and various composites.
Tachytes exornatus
