Synonyms and other taxonomic changes
Nearctica.com lists the name as Sphex ichneumonea.
Explanation of Names
Species name, ichneumoneus, is Greek for tracker
(1).
Identification
A robust sphecid, frequent on flowers and very active. Head and thorax have golden hair. Abdomen black with orange/red on first segment.
Range
United States and southern Canada, south into neotropics
Habitat
Fields, meadows, with sandy areas nearby
Season
June-October (North Carolina), August-October (Kansas), July-August further north.
Life Cycle
Female digs burrow almost vertically. Cells are dug radiating out from central tunnel. Larvae are provisioned with crickets, camel crickets, katydids (long-horned grasshoppers). One paralyzed prey is placed in each cell, and one egg is laid on it. One generation per year.
Print References
Milne, p. 845, fig. 456
(3)
Arnett and Jacques, #289
(5)
Powell, p. 341, fig. 442
(6)
Salsbury, p. 283--photo
(7)
Lutz, 3rd. ed., plate 99--Chlorion ichneumonea
(8)
Evans, discusses life history briefly, gives bibliography, p. 56, photo with prey, plate 5
(1)
