Identification, Images, & Information
For Insects, Spiders & Their Kin
For the United States & Canada
Clickable Guide
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

TaxonomyBrowseInfoImagesLinksBooksData
Photo#345312
Red-legged blackish wasp with minimal whitish markings - Episyron conterminus

Red-legged blackish wasp with minimal whitish markings - Episyron conterminus
Madrona Marsh Preserve, Torrance, Los Angeles County, California, USA
September 19, 2005
I saw this pretty red-legged wasp in 2005 and had a hard time identifying it.

A few weeks ago, on September 23, 2009, I saw another specimen at a different location, but could not get a good photo of it.
I did more research and settled on Pompilidae, possibly genus Ceropales, given the reddish legs and whitish markings.
But I could not find a solid match with any of the fourteen Nearctic species.

It has finally been identified as Episyron quinquenotatus by Prof. Pitts.
This was very helpful, as the reddish legs (like red flags) and lack of whitish abdominal bands are quite confusing.

The subspecies we have in California is Episyron quinquenotatus hurdi, which might explain the red legs and absence of the white abdominal bands.

It would be nice if this could be moved to a subspecies page.

Images of this individual: tag all
Red-legged blackish wasp with minimal whitish markings - Episyron conterminus Red-legged blackish wasp with minimal whitish markings - Episyron conterminus

Moved

Right genus, wrong species.
I'll move it to the correct guide page.

 
Thanks a lot for correcting that, Eric !
This fits much better, and explains the red legs !

Do you perhaps know if the white abdominal bands, as for example seen in this photo, are a characteristic of more eastern populations ?

You are amazing, Eric !
You are an invaluable asset to BugGuide, and the community at large.

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