Wasp - Ammophila - BugGuide.Net

Moved

… Ken Wolgemuth, 2 August, 2015 - 12:08pm

Damaged Male!

Pat, your wasp appears to have a damaged abdomen and I'm not able to discern the division between the last two segments. Is he a deceased specimen? If so, did you save him, because we need more voucher specimens in this genus. Once again he looks like a male Ammophila procera, but there are none on the BugGuide at this point, reported from your state or from California and the lack of placement may be due to a "western" variation of those distinctive spots. Have a look at this female, (not labeled yet) from Texas:

Please let me know what you think. Thanks

… Bob Biagi, 2 August, 2015 - 11:47am

It is somewhat damaged

I replaced the middle picture with a somewhat better one.
What I see is more white hair on the face of mine and the black on the abdomen is further back than the Texas specimen.
Both specimens are deceased and I still have them ... how can I help? Pics from a different angle ?

… Pat Cassidy, 2 August, 2015 - 12:29pm

Let's start with SEX, shall we, haha!

Pat, comparing the coloration of the abdominal segments and maybe even the facial hairs requires two individuals of the same sex! Please try to remember that very important point.
On this page here, I have linked several sexy images, that you may find helpful:

Please note that most of those males look much like yours.

You can help everyone by marking the containers and then carefully pack them so that you can send them to a scientist. They can test the DNA to tell us the exact species and sex and then your images may be used, as a confirmed "voucher" of that specific species, from then on. It's the west coast variants of this genus that are confusing some of the placements. Any voucher specimens that we collect may become very important for everyone else.

… Bob Biagi, 2 August, 2015 - 12:53pm

You have given me some fun stuff

Is there any scientist you know of that would like to have these?
I would be willing to send them but I need a contact person and address.
Some packing advice would help ... tissue, cotton, alcohol?
Thanks for your help and advice!

… Pat Cassidy, 2 August, 2015 - 1:21pm

Box within a box!

There are lots of scientists that will do this for you. Some of them are specialist in this family of wasps and I'm sure that they would be more than happy to assist you. Also, many of them can be found on the BugGiude and some of them may already be BugGuide administrators.

First check with your local universities and museums. They may have sample specimens or even "type" specimens, that are considered to be the most valuable taxonomic reference base for each species. If you have no contacts in your area, then you can send me an email and I will give you a contact. OK? Thanks

… Bob Biagi, 2 August, 2015 - 1:41pm