Which Cicada killer? - Sphecius speciosus

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Home » Guide » Arthropods (Arthropoda) » Hexapods (Hexapoda) » Insects (Insecta) » Ants, Bees, Wasps and Sawflies (Hymenoptera) » Aculeata - Ants, Bees and Stinging Wasps » Apoidea sans Anthophila – Apoid Wasps » Square-headed Wasps, Sand Wasps, and Allies (Crabronidae) » Bembicinae » Sand Wasps (Bembicini) » Spheciina » Cicada-killer Wasps (Sphecius) » Eastern Cicada-killer Wasp (Sphecius speciosus)

Photo#561217

Copyright © 2011 Elizabeth Hedrick-Collins

Which Cicada killer? - Sphecius speciosus

Arvada, Jefferson County, Colorado, USA
August 11, 2011
Size: ~2 inches

Sorry for the poor quality, feel free to frass after ID (though it might be first data point for CO.)
On Rattlesnake Master (Eryngium yuccifolium), a plant that's popular with many pollinators- and wasps.
Around 10:30am.

Images of this individual: tag all

Which Cicada killer? - Sphecius speciosus

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Contributed by Elizabeth Hedrick-Collins on 11 August, 2011 - 12:52pm
Last updated 13 August, 2011 - 2:00am

Moved

Moved from ID Request. I have to agree with Rose...westernmost specimens are going to be a bit more "xanthic" (paler) than eastern specimens. Nice addition to the guide!

… Eric R. Eaton, 13 August, 2011 - 2:00am

Very cool!

Thanks for the help guys! Hope some larva survive the winter.

… Elizabeth Hedrick-Collins, 13 August, 2011 - 10:07am

looks like the Eastern...

The abdominal pattern seems to match the Eastern; the info says it ranges east of the Rockies, which Arvada is (if only barely!) Global warming is allowing a lot of animals and plants to expand their ranges, so I think it would certainly be possible to find one that far west. We'll see what the experts say.

… Rose L, 11 August, 2011 - 7:24pm

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