Brown-legged Grass-carrying Wasp
Isodontia auripes
This record describes Isodontia auripes (species). Recorded family: Sphecidae. Recorded order: Hymenoptera.
Identification and Appearance
Brown legs are apparently distinctive, within this genus.
Wikipedia reference for Isodontia auripes: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Isodontia_auripes.
Classification
- Kingdom
- Animalia
- Phylum
- Arthropoda
- Class
- Insecta
- Order
- Hymenoptera (Ants, Bees, Wasps and Sawflies)
- Superfamily
- Trigonaloidea
- Family
- Sphecidae (Thread-waisted Wasps)
- Subfamily
- Sphecinae
- Tribe
- Sphecini
- Genus
- Isodontia (Grass-carrying Wasps)
Imported taxonomy record. Source availability varies; see the source references and editorial policy below.
Habitat and Range
Geographic Range
Eastern United States: west to Kansas, Texas.
Seasonal Activity
June-October (North Carolina). July-August (Michigan).
Diet and Behavior
Life History
Nests contain a single large brood chamber. Several larvae develop together in this nest. Females with prey:
Additional species information
Species notes from the sources
Etymology: Author: (Fernald) 1906
About Flies: the wider group
Order-level background for Hymenoptera, the group containing Isodontia auripes. Species-specific details appear above.
Group overview
Hymenoptera includes over 150,000 described species of ants, bees, wasps, and sawflies. Earth harbors approximately 20 quadrillion (20×10^15) ants, with a combined biomass of ~12 megatons of dry carbon - exceeding the combined biomass of all wild birds and mammals (PNAS, 2022).
Ecological role of the group
About 35% of the world's food crops depend on animal pollinators. The chocolate industry, valued at over $100 billion, depends on pollinating flies and midges. Ants are the dominant soil engineers in most terrestrial ecosystems, turning more soil than earthworms in many habitats.
Economic and practical significance of the group
Pollinators contribute $235-577 billion worth of annual global food production (FAO). In the U.S., bee pollination alone benefits crops valued at $18 billion annually, and honey bees are responsible for $5.4 billion in agricultural productivity. Between April 2023-2024, 55.1% of managed honey bee colonies were lost. The U.S. bee population dropped from 5 million to 2.5 million.
Recorded sources for this group: FAO, USDA, EPA, PNAS (2022), US Fish & Wildlife Service. Imported estimates may describe particular regions or reporting periods.
Frequently Asked Questions About Brown-legged Grass-carrying Wasp
What is Brown-legged Grass-carrying Wasp?
Brown-legged Grass-carrying Wasp (Isodontia auripes) is a species in the family Sphecidae, within the order Hymenoptera.
How big is Brown-legged Grass-carrying Wasp?
circa 20 mm
How do you identify Brown-legged Grass-carrying Wasp?
Brown legs are apparently distinctive, within this genus.
Where is Brown-legged Grass-carrying Wasp found?
Range: Eastern United States: west to Kansas, Texas.
When is Brown-legged Grass-carrying Wasp active?
Brown-legged Grass-carrying Wasp: seasonal activity - June-October (North Carolina). July-August (Michigan)..
What is the life cycle of a Brown-legged Grass-carrying Wasp?
Nests contain a single large brood chamber. Several larvae develop together in this nest. Females with prey: