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

Species Myzinum obscurum

Wasp? - Myzinum obscurum - female Myzinum? - Myzinum obscurum - female Myzinum? - Myzinum obscurum - female Wasp - Myzinum obscurum - female Black and yellow wasp - Myzinum obscurum - female Wasp on flower - Myzinum obscurum Possible Symmorphus wasp - Myzinum obscurum - female Myzinum obscurum? - Myzinum obscurum - female
Classification
Kingdom Animalia (Animals)
Phylum Arthropoda (Arthropods)
Subphylum Hexapoda (Hexapods)
Class Insecta (Insects)
Order Hymenoptera (Ants, Bees, Wasps and Sawflies)
No Taxon (Aculeata - Ants, Bees and Stinging Wasps)
Superfamily Thynnoidea
Family Thynnidae (Thynnid Wasps)
Subfamily Myzininae
Genus Myzinum
Species obscurum (Myzinum obscurum)
Explanation of Names
Myzinum obscurum (Fabricius 1805)
Size
15–22 mm(1)
Identification
Males have clear wings. (other species share this quality) The yellow abdominal bands are thin. (1)

Females are identified through the following combination of characters:
Pairs of spots on the metalsomal terga -- no complete bands of color at all (abdomen).
Entirely black scutum and scutellum of the mesosoma (thorax).
Forewings dark, somewhat darker along costal margin.
Mostly black in coloration overall, with scattered yellow maculations.
Sides of propodeum with striae (absent in the otherwise similar M. carolinianum females)

Range
e US (NJ-FL to MO-TX)(1)