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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) » Astatinae » Astata
Photo#26023
sphecid wasp - Astata - male
Copyright © 2005 tom murray

sphecid wasp - Astata - Male
Canton, Norfolk County, Massachusetts, USA
July 20, 2005
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Contributed by tom murray on 28 July, 2005 - 8:56pm
Last updated 29 July, 2005 - 7:59pm

Male Astata sp.
This is one of the stinkbug-hunting sphecid wasps in the genus Astata. They are very sexually dimorphic. Males like this have holoptic eyes (the compound eyes meet at the crown of the head), and broader wings than the females. They may even be colored differently. Males are territorial and will stake out an elevated weed or leaf to perch on, dashing out to chase off other insects and intercept females, then return. Great behavioral clue that photographers should tune into:-)
… Eric R. Eaton, 29 July, 2005 - 3:08pm login or register to post comments

 
Astata sp.
This one fooled me, it doesn't look anything like the other stink bug killing wasps I've seen. Thanks for the ID and the great explanation even I can understand.
… tom murray, 29 July, 2005 - 8:04pm login or register to post comments

Not a robber
May even be hymenopteran. Can't see halteres. And there may be a second wing pair under there.
… Herschel Raney, 29 July, 2005 - 2:56pm login or register to post comments

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