crabronid wasp

Tachytes distinctus is a common, large, solitary, crabronid wasp.

5 ⁄16″to ¾″

July through September

It nests in the ground

Paralyzed grasshoppers and katydids, especially short-horned grasshoppers

Flower nectar

Sources

29, 30, 82, 83.

Not recorded in Minnesota

This species was formerly placed in the family Sphecidae. Most of the wasps in that family are now in the new family Crabronidae, the former family now restricted to what was formerly the subfamily Sphecinae. The family Crabronidae currently contains six subfamilies, more than 200 genera, and over 9,000 species. Eventually, all of the subspecies will probably be raised to family status.

This species has no common name. Another common name of the Family Crabronidae is crabronid wasps, and it is applied here for convenience.