Sphex dorsalis
This record describes Sphex dorsalis (species). Recorded family: Sphecidae. Recorded order: Hymenoptera.
Identification and Appearance
Females have a black head and thorax, with golden pubescence on these segments. The legs are red apart with the exception of the final tarsus and claws. The abdomen has T1-3 and T6 red and T4-5 black. They also can be separated from S. ichneumoneus and S. texanus by the red tip of the metasoma. Males are black with clear wings and yellowish-silvery pubescence, particularly on the face. Specimens from the US are typically darker while those from Central America may have some red on the legs and abdomen. They can be distinguished from the similarly-colored males of S. texanus structurally by the poorly-defined median truncation of the clypeus, broader than the space between the antennal sockets, and a median subbasal spine on T6.
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
- Sphex
Imported taxonomy record. Source availability varies; see the source references and editorial policy below.
Habitat and Range
Geographic Range
Originally stated to be a so. US species (GA-FL-CA) to South America . Recent iNaturalist records add SC, NC, VA, MD, TN, KS, AR, and MO. Museum records and iNaturalist add CA, and a 1933 museum record adds CO without a photo, which if accurate would be an early indication this is not only a so. US species.
Seasonal Activity
Roughly May-Oct in Texas
Diet and Behavior
Diet: Nests are provisioned with Conocephalus fasciatus . Adults feed on nectar.
Life History
Nest contains 3 cells, 2 of which are provisioned with 3 prey items each
Additional species information
Species notes from the sources
Etymology: Sphex dorsalis Lepeletier 1845
About Flies: the wider group
Order-level background for Hymenoptera, the group containing Sphex dorsalis. 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.
Photos of Sphex dorsalis (5)
Photo credits: Contributed by Matthias Buck; Additional contributions by cotinis , v belov , PaleoJon , bdagley
Frequently Asked Questions About Sphex dorsalis
What is Sphex dorsalis?
Sphex dorsalis is a species in the family Sphecidae, within the order Hymenoptera.
How do you identify Sphex dorsalis?
Females have a black head and thorax, with golden pubescence on these segments. The legs are red apart with the exception of the final tarsus and claws. The abdomen has T1-3 and T6 red and T4-5 black. They also can be separated from S. ichneumoneus and S. texanus by the red tip of the metasoma. Males are black with clear wings and yellowish-silvery pubescence, particularly on the face. Specimens from the US are typically darker while those from Central America may have some red on the legs and abdomen. They can be distinguished from the similarly-colored males of S. texanus structurally by the poorly-defined median truncation of the clypeus, broader than the space between the antennal sockets, and a median subbasal spine on T6.
Where is Sphex dorsalis found?
Range: Originally stated to be a so. US species (GA-FL-CA) to South America . Recent iNaturalist records add SC, NC, VA, MD, TN, KS, AR, and MO. Museum records and iNaturalist add CA, and a 1933 museum record adds CO without a photo, which if accurate would be an early indication this is not only a so. US species.
What does Sphex dorsalis eat?
The diet of the Sphex dorsalis includes Nests are provisioned with Conocephalus fasciatus . Adults feed on nectar..
When is Sphex dorsalis active?
Sphex dorsalis: seasonal activity - Roughly May-Oct in Texas.
What is the life cycle of a Sphex dorsalis?
Nest contains 3 cells, 2 of which are provisioned with 3 prey items each