Identification, Images, & Information
For Insects, Spiders & Their Kin
For the United States & Canada
 
Clickable Guide
Interactive image map to choose major taxa Moths Butterflies Flies Caterpillars Flies Dragonflies Flies Mantids Cockroaches Bees and Wasps Walkingsticks Earwigs Ants Termites Hoppers and Kin Hoppers and Kin Beetles True Bugs Fleas Grasshoppers and Kin Ticks Spiders Scorpions Centipedes Millipedes

Calendar
Upcoming Events

National Moth Week was July 19-27, and the Summer 2025 gathering in Louisiana, July 19-27

Photos of insects and people from the 2024 BugGuide gathering in Idaho July 24-27

Moth submissions from National Moth Week 2024

Photos of insects and people from the 2022 BugGuide gathering in New Mexico, July 20-24

Photos of insects and people from the Spring 2021 gathering in Louisiana, April 28-May 2

Photos of insects and people from the 2019 gathering in Louisiana, July 25-27
Home » Guide » Arthropods (Arthropoda) » Hexapods (Hexapoda) » Insects (Insecta) » Ants, Bees, Wasps and Sawflies (Hymenoptera) » Aculeata - Ants, Bees and Stinging Wasps » Spider Wasps, Velvet Ants and allies (Pompiloidea) » Spider Wasps (Pompilidae) » Pepsinae » Tarantula-hawk Wasps and Allies (Pepsini) » Tarantula-hawk Wasps (Hemipepsis) » Flamed Tarantula-hawk Wasp (Hemipepsis ustulata)
Photo#205299
Hemipepsis ustulata - female
Copyright © 2008 Kay Loughman

Hemipepsis ustulata - Female
Oakland, Claremont Canyon, Alameda County, California, USA
July 23, 2008
Size: 30-40mm

Images of this individual: tag all
Hemipepsis ustulata - female Hemipepsis ustulata - female
tag · login or register to post comments
Contributed by Kay Loughman on 23 July, 2008 - 7:44pm
Last updated 10 September, 2015 - 1:40pm

Thanks!
Kay, if you think that these two are the same female, then you should keep them linked, but if you are not sure, then keeping them separated is the best way go.
Thanks for the quick response!
… Bob Biagi, 10 September, 2015 - 2:48pm login or register to post comments

 
Hemipepsis ustulata
Yes, they are the same female: photos taken only seconds apart. I really appreciate your help!
… Kay Loughman, 10 September, 2015 - 3:03pm login or register to post comments

 
Linkage!
Kay, that's great, here's what to do with her:
Simply tag each image and then click "link" below the tagged images that appear to the left of the page.
Thanks again!
… Bob Biagi, 10 September, 2015 - 3:13pm login or register to post comments

A tip
Try to find where they're feeding. It took me several days to get good shots my first time out. I finally found them feeding and mating on large patches of buckwheat. It still wasn't easy.

It's often very tough to get IDs on these. A good, clear shot of the wing veins is important, but you already know that. (BTW, same goes for most flies.) And as you've seen, knowing size can be crucial. (Personally, I'm just awful at that.)

Good hunting! You'll get 'em - it just takes time and patience.
… Ron Hemberger, 23 July, 2008 - 9:05pm login or register to post comments

 
Spider Wasp
Thanks, Ron. I hope they'll be around for a while. As soon as my house guests leave, I'll start looking for buckwheat!
… Kay Loughman, 23 July, 2008 - 9:28pm login or register to post comments

Size
I think you mean between 30 and 40 mm, 30-40 cm would make the wasp 12-16 inches:)

I believe this is Hemipepsis, judging from the lack of bluish reflection and I think I can see enough of the wing venation in this shot to make the ID.
… Nick Fensler, 23 July, 2008 - 8:01pm login or register to post comments

 
Hemipepsis
Thanks, I've just changed cm to mm! khl
… Kay Loughman, 23 July, 2008 - 8:13pm login or register to post comments

Comment viewing options
Select your preferred way to display the comments and click 'Save settings' to activate your changes.

Disclaimer: Dedicated naturalists volunteer their time and resources here to provide this service. We strive to provide accurate information, but we are mostly just amateurs attempting to make sense of a diverse natural world. If you need expert professional advice, contact your local extension office.

Contributors own the copyright to and are solely responsible for contributed content.
Click the contributor's name for licensing and usage information.
Everything else copyright © 2003-2025 Iowa State University, unless otherwise noted.

Bugguide is hosted by:

Plant Pathology, Entomology and Microbiology at Iowa State University logo

Printer Friendly Version 		Terms of Use
Privacy Statement
Site Map
Contact