Explanation of Names
Sceliphron curvatum (F. Smith, 1870)
Identification
According to Christian Schmid-Egger (Aug 12, 2019: pers. comm. to Matthias Buck), the photos on BugGuide clearly show S. curvatum, not S. deforme (up to this point there was doubt about the species). Schmid-Egger (2005) provides a key to separate the two species from each other and from European species [in German].
Range
native to Asia, introduced elsewhere; spreading rapidly in Europe, discovered in Argentina in 2001 (Compagnucci & Roig Alsina 2008).
Scattered US records, particularly centered around airports (
map(1)). Newly recorded for
MN in 2023.
Remarks
BugGuide photos from Quebec (2013) apparently represent the first North American record.
Range in the US represents several independent introduction events.
Print References
Compagnucci LA, Roig Alsina A (2008)
Sceliphron curvatum, una nueva avispa invasora en la Argentina (Hymenoptera: Sphecidae). Rev Soc. Entomol. Argent. 67: 65-70. (
Full text)
Schmid-Egger C (2005)
Sceliphron curvatum (F. Smith 1870) in Europa mit einem Bestimmungsschlüssel für die europäischen und mediterranen
Sceliphron-Arten (Hymenoptera, Sphecidae). BembiX 19: 7-28. (
Full text)
