Golden-reined Digger Wasp
Sphex habenus
This record describes Sphex habenus (species). Recorded family: Sphecidae. Recorded order: Hymenoptera.
Identification and Appearance
Vestiture is golden (as in S. ichneumoneus ), legs black, abdomen unicolorous (black or rarely red in female, red in male). Female (♀) Male (♂)
Wikipedia reference for Sphex habenus: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Sphex_habenus.
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
MD-IL to s.TX & n. Mexico
Seasonal Activity
Jul-Oct in NC
Diet and Behavior
Diet: nest provisioned with katydids, e.g. Orchelimum here
About Flies: the wider group
Order-level background for Hymenoptera, the group containing Sphex habenus. 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 Golden-reined Digger Wasp (3)
Photo credits: Contributed by Cotinis; Additional contributions by Beatriz Moisset , Robert Lord Zimlich , v belov , KenW , PaleoJon
Frequently Asked Questions About Golden-reined Digger Wasp
What is Golden-reined Digger Wasp?
Golden-reined Digger Wasp (Sphex habenus) is a species in the family Sphecidae, within the order Hymenoptera.
How big is Golden-reined Digger Wasp?
Average body length: 25 mm ♀, 29 mm ♂
How do you identify Golden-reined Digger Wasp?
Vestiture is golden (as in S. ichneumoneus ), legs black, abdomen unicolorous (black or rarely red in female, red in male). Female (♀) Male (♂)
Where is Golden-reined Digger Wasp found?
Range: MD-IL to s.TX & n. Mexico
What does Golden-reined Digger Wasp eat?
The diet of the Golden-reined Digger Wasp includes nest provisioned with katydids, e.g. Orchelimum here.
When is Golden-reined Digger Wasp active?
Golden-reined Digger Wasp: seasonal activity - Jul-Oct in NC.