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

Genus Leptochiloides

Wasp in soil - Leptochiloides - female Wasp in soil - Leptochiloides - female Leptochiloides? - Leptochiloides
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 Vespoidea
Family Vespidae (Hornets, Yellowjackets; Paper, Potter, Mason, and Pollen Wasps; and Allies)
Subfamily Eumeninae (Potter and Mason Wasps)
Genus Leptochiloides
Explanation of Names
Despite its name Leptochiloides is not related to Leptochilus. It is most closely related to Pterocheilus which also nests in the ground and has female palps modified for carrying sand during nest excavation.
Numbers
Three species in North America
Size
Structurally similar to Pterocheilus but small (6-7 mm)
Range
Utah, Arizona, California
Remarks
All three species are rare.