Wasps
of Orange County, California (and nearby places)
(Click on images or names to open). Yellow background, exotic species.
Photographed and compiled by Peter J. Bryant (pjbryant@uci.edu)
Department of Developmental and Cell Biology,
University of California, Irvine, CA 92697
Debra Mauzy-Melitz, Ron Hemberger and Hartmut Wisch
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| Agaonidae (Fig wasps) |
Aphelinidae (Aphelinid wasps) |
Bethylidae |
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Small (2 mm or less); yellowish-brown color, not metallic; thorax and abdomen broadly joined; short pronotum; notoauli deep and straight; long thin mid-tibial spur; tarsi usually 5 segmented; antennae with 5-8 segments (thus different from the usually 11-segmented antennae of Encyrtidae) and clubbed in females; large eyes; wings with setal tracts, long marginal vein. USDA.Terminology and Anatomy. |
Parasites of larvae of Coleoptera and Lepidoptera. |
Fig Wasp, Pleistodontes imperialis |
Whitefly parasitoid,
Eretmocerus californicus |
Parasitoid from Willow Leafy Gall, Coccophagus sp. |
Parasitoid from Sagebrush Scale |
Bethylid wasp |
| Braconidae (Braconid wasps) |
Apanteles sp. |
Aphid parasitoid, Aphidius sp |
Aphidius sp. |
Bracon sp. |
Cotesia congregata |
Diaeretiella rapae? |
Lytopylus sp. |
Macrocentrus sp. |
Subfamily Agathidinae |
Subfamily Agathidinae |
Subfamily Aphidiinae |
Subfamily Aphidiinae |
Chelonus sp. |
Subfamily Cheloninae |
Subfamily Microgastrinae |
Subfamily Opiinae |
Subfamily Rhogadinae? |
Braconid Wasp |
Braconid Wasp |
Braconid Wasp |
| Braconidae (cont.) |
Chalcididea (Chalcid wasps) |
Braconid Wasp |
Brachymeria fonscolombei |
Parasitoid wasp, Brachymeria ovata |
Conura sp. |
Psilochalcis sp. |
| Chyphotidae
(Chyphotid Wasps) |
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Chrysididae
(Cuckoo Wasps) |
Chyphotes sp. |
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Cuckoo Wasp |
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| Crabronidae (Crabronid Wasps) |
Astata sp. |
Western Sand Wasp,
Bembix americana |
Sand Wasp, Bembix sp. |
Bembicine Wasp |
Bicyrtes capnopterus |
Hunting Wasp: Tribe Cercerini |
Cerceris sextoides |
Cerceris sp. |
Cerceris sp. |
Cerceris sp. Female |
Cerceris sp. Male |
Cerceris sp. |
Cerceris sextoides. Male |
Cerceris sp. |
Dryudella sp. |
Square-headed Wasp, Ectemnius sp. |
Square-headed Wasp, Ectemnius sp. |
Eucerceris provancheri |
Digger Wasp, Hoplisoides hamatus |
Solitary Wasp, Larropsis sp. |
Square-headed Wasp, Liris sp. |
Sand Wasp, Microbembex sp. |
Square-headed Wasp, Oxybelus sp. |
Pemphredon sp. |
Square-headed Wasp, Solierella sp. |
Bee Wolf, Philanthus crabroniformis |
Bee Wolf, Philanthus gibbosus |
Pacific Burrowing Wasp,
Philanthus multimaculatus |
Hunting Wasp: Philanthus sp. |
Hunting Wasp: Philanthus sp. |
Bee Hunter, Philanthus sp. |
Bee Hunter, Philanthus sp. |
Square-headed wasp, Pison sp |
Sand Wasp, Steniolia sp. |
Steniola sp.? |
Tachysphex sp. |
Square-headed Wasp,
Tachytes distinctus |
Square-headed Wasp,
Trypoxylon sp. |
Square-headed Wasp,
Trypoxylon sp. |
Tribe Crabronini |
Sand-loving Wasp, Tribe Larrini |
Square-headed Wasp, Tribe Larrini |
Square-headed wasp, Tribe Larrini |
Sand-loving Wasp, Tribe Larrini |
Square-headed Wasp, Tribe Larrini |
Square-headed wasp, Tribe Miscophini |
Square-headed Wasp, Tribe Miscophini |
Tribe Nyssonini |
Tribe Pemphredonini |
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| Cynipidae
(Gall Wasps): First row (as available), inducing wasps; second row, galls or gall types from which the corresponding wasp hatched. |
| On scrub oak, Quercus berberidifolia: |
Crystalline Disc Gall Wasp,
Andricus crystallinus |
Disc Gall Wasp,
Andricus parmula |
Gall Wasp, Andricus quercuscalifornicus |
Cynips (=Besbicus)
conspicuus |
Spined Turban Gall Wasp,
Cynips (=Antron) douglasii
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Spined Turban Gall Wasp,
Cynips (=Antron) douglasii |
Beaked Twig Gall Wasp,
Disholcaspis plumbella |
Beaked Twig Gall Inquiline,
Synergus sp. |
PBCyn1 |
PBCyn9 |
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PBCyn10 |
PBCyn11 |
PBCyn12 |
Oak apple Gall Wasp,
PBCyn20 |
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| On Live Oak, Quercus agrifolia |
On Wild Rose |
Two-horned Gall Wasp,
Dryocosmus dubiosus |
Pumpkin Gall Wasp,
Dryocosmus minisculus |
PBCyn5 |
Gall Wasp from Wild Rose,
Diplolepis polita |
Gall Wasp from Wild Rose,
Diplolepis californica |
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| On Canyon Live Oak, Quercus chrysolepis |
Heteroecus sanctaeclarae |
PBCyn3 |
PBCyn7 (Andricus lasius?) |
PBCyn8 (Andricus lasius?) |
Cynipid wasp |
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| Diapriidae
(Diapriid Wasps) |
Dryinidae
(Dryinid Wasps) |
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Coptera sp. |
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Dryinid larvae parasitizing a hemipteran nymph |
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| Encyrtidae
(Encyrtid Wasps) |
| Small (<2mm); mesopleuron large, often occupying more than half the thorax in side view; mesoscutum transverse and without notauli or with shallow notauli; legs with mid-tibial spur; antennae usually with 11 segments. Wing venation with short marginal and stigmal veins (shorter than the submarginal). Often parasitoids of scale insects. USDA Terminology and Anatomy. |
| Parasitoid on scale insect |
Parasitoid on Red gum lerp psyllid |
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Parasitoids from Willow Rosette Gall |
Anagyrus kamali |
Psyllaephagus bliteus |
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White legs - PBEnc3 |
Dark back legs - PBEnc4 |
| Parasitoid on scale insect |
Parasitoids on Cochineal insect? |
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Pseudleptomastix sp. |
Cheiloneurus sp. |
Encyrtid Wasp |
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| Eulophidae
(Eulophid Wasps) |
| Dark metallic color; distinct waist; 4-segmented tarsi with protibial spur short and straight; antenna 7- to 9-segmented with 2 to 4-segmented funicle and up to four anelli; most are parasitoids. USDA. Terminology and Anatomy. |
Pnigalio sp. |
PBEul6
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PBEul7 |
PBEul9 |
Eulophid Wasp, Tetrastichinae |
Eulophid Wasp |
Eulophid Wasp |
Eulophid Wasp, Aprostocetus sp.
no sequence |
Eulophid Wasp |
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| Eupelmidae (Eupelmid Wasps) |
| Mesopleuron usually large and undivided. Short waist. Mid coxae inserted level with posterior margin of mesopleuron. Male antenna with seven funicle segments and a single, very small annellus. USDA. Terminology and Anatomy. |
Arachnophaga sp. |
Brasema sp. |
Eupelmus cynipidis |
Eupelmus sp. |
Reikosiella sp. |
Eupelmid Wasp |
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| Eurytomidae
(Eurytomid Wasps) |
| Strongly sculptured dull black appearance; punctate head and thorax; rectangular pronotum; rounded, smooth, and compressed abdomen; mesoscutum with notauli deep and complete; antenna with fewer than 13 segments. USDA. Terminology and Anatomy. |
Sycophila sp. |
Sycophila sp. |
Sycophila sp. |
Sycophila sp. |
Sycophila sp. (?) |
| Eurytomidae (Eurytomid Wasps), cont. |
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Gasteruptiidae (Gasteruptiid Wasps) |
Eurytomid Wasp |
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Gasteruption sp. |
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| Ichneumonidae (Ichneumon Wasps) |
Anomalon sp. |
Casinaria sp. |
Compsocryptus sp. |
Diplazon laetatorius |
Lathrostizus sp. |
Tribe Ephialtini. Scambus sp.? |
Syrphoctonus pacificus (reared from Allograpta obliqua pupa) |
Subfamily Campopleginae (female) |
Subfamily Cremastinae |
Subfamily Cryptinae |
Subfamily Cryptinae; Tribe Phygadeuontini |
Subfamily Gelinae |
Subfamily Ichneumoninae |
Subfamily Ichneumoninae |
Subfamily Ichneumoninae |
Netelia sp. |
Short-tailed Ichneumon Wasp; Subfamily Ophioninae |
Pimpla saguinipes |
Subfamily Pimplinae |
Temelucha grapholithaa complex? |
Ichneumon Wasp
(reared from Tussock moth pupa) |
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| Mutillidae (Velvet Ants) |
Red-haired Velvet Ant,
Dasymutilla aureola pacifica |
Red-haired Velvet Ant,
Dasymutilla magnifica |
Velvet Ant,
Dasymutilla sackenii |
Velvet Ant,
Dasymutilla sp. |
Velvet Ant, Mutillidae |
Red-haired Velvet Ant, Pseudomethoca anthracina |
Sphaeropthalminae |
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| Ormyridae |
Perilampidae |
Platygasteridae |
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Ormyrus sp. |
Fam. Perilampidae |
Synopeas sp. |
Telenomus sp. |
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| Pompilidae (Spider Wasps) Movie of an interaction between Tarantula and Tarantula Hawk (in Costa Rica) |
Ageniella coronata |
Anoplius americanus
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Aporus sp. |
Dipigon calipterus nubifer |
Episyryon conterminus posterus |
Spider Wasp, Evagetes sp.? |
Notocyphus dorsalis |
Tarantula Hawk, Pepsis mexicana |
Tarantula Hawk, Pepsis mildei |
Tarantula Hawk,
Pepsis pallidolimbata |
Tarantula Hawk, Pepsis thisbe |
Tarantula Hawk, Pepsis sp. |
Spider Wasp, Psorthaspis planata |
Red tailed Spider Hunter, Tachypompilus unicolor |
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| Pteromalidae (Pteromalid Wasps) |
| Green/bronze coloration; metallic, well-armoured body; antennae long, with 8-13 segments including up to 3 annelli); narrow neck; short pronotum with a wider sculptured mesoscutum; wing with postmarginal and stigmal vein well-developed. USDA. Terminology and Anatomy. |
Mesopolobus sp. |
Pteromalus sp. |
PBPte1 |
PBPte2 |
PBPte3 |
Pteromalid Wasp |
Pteromalid Wasp |
Pteromalid Wasp |
Pteromalid Wasp |
Pteromalid Wasp |
Pteromalid Wasp |
Pteromalid Wasp |
Pteromalid Wasp |
Pteromalid Wasp |
Pteromalid Wasp |
| Parasitoid from Saltbush Stem Gall |
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PBPte14 |
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| Club-horned Wasps (Sapygidae) |
Scoliidae (Scoliid Wasps) |
Signiphoridae (Hyperparasitic Wasps) |
Club-horned Wasp, Sapyga sp. |
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Campsomeris pilipes |
Campsomeris tolteca |
Chartocerus sp. |
| Sphecidae (Sphecid Wasps) |
Burrowing Wasp,
Ammophila sp. |
Blue Mud Wasp,
Chlorion sp. |
Grass-carrying Wasp,
Isodontia elegans
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Grass-carrying Wasp,
Isodontia (mexicana?) |
Thread-waisted Wasp,
Palmodes sp. |
Cutworm Wasp,
Podalonia argentifrons |
Cutworm Wasp,
Podalonia (mexicana?) |
Podalonia sp.? |
Thread-waisted Wasp,
Prionyx parkeri |
Thread-waisted Wasp,
Prionyx thomae |
Black and Yellow Mud Dauber,
Sceliphron caementarium |
Great Golden Digger Wasp,
Sphex ichneumoneus |
Burrowing Wasp,
Sphex lucae |
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| Thynnidae (Thynnid Wasps) |
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Tiphiidae (Tiphiid Wasps) |
Myzinum maculatum
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Paratiphia sp. |
Paratiphia sp. |
Torymidae (Torymid Wasps) |
| Metallic green color; sculptured thorax; waist not distinct; laterally compressed abdomen; well-developed parapsidal sutures; fore-wings with long marginal wing veins and setae; stigmal vein very short (although sometimes with stigma very enlarged) so that apex of uncus almost touches anterior margin of forewing; swollen hind coxae and femurs; long exerted ovipositor in the female. USDA Terminology and Anatomy. |
| From Coyote Bush Bud Galls |
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Torymus sp. (PBTor5) Female |
PBTor5 Male |
PBTor7 Female |
PBTor7 Male |
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| From Saltbush Stem Gall |
From Disc Gall on scrub oak |
Torymus atriplicis, female not sequenced yet |
PBTor2, Female |
PBTor2, Male |
PBTor1, Female |
PBTor1, Male |
| From Oak Apples on Scrub Oak |
From Disc Gall on Scrub Oak |
From Acorn Cup Gall |
Torymus californicus, female (long ovipositor morph) |
Torymus californicus, female (short ovipositor morph) |
PBTor11 |
Unidentified Torymid #2 not sequenced yet |
Torymus sp., female not sequenced yet |
| From Oak Apple on Quercus chrysolepis |
From Hairy gall on Quercus chrysolepis |
From Leaf Gall on White Sage |
From Leafy Gall on wild rose |
PBTor6 female |
PBTor12 |
PBTor10 |
Torymid Wasp with red legs not sequenced yet |
Torymid Wasp, female |
| From Spikey Gall on wild rose |
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Glyphomerus sp., female |
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| Vespidae (True Wasps), Subfamily Eumeninae - Potter and Mason Wasps |
Mason Wasp, Ancistrocerus sp. |
Potter Wasp, Eumenes bollii |
Potter Wasp, Eumenes crucifera |
Potter Wasp, Eumenes verticalis |
Potter Wasp, Eumenes sp. |
Mason Wasp,
Euodynerus hidalgo hidalgo |
Mason Wasp,
Euodynerus hidalgo viereckii |
Mason Wasp, Euodynerus sp. |
Mason Wasp, Euodynerus sp. |
Mason Wasp, Euodynerus sp. |
Mason Wasp, Stenodynerus sp. |
Mason Wasp, Stenodynerus sp. |
Mason Wasp,
Parancistrocerus declivatus |
Mason Wasp,
Parancistrocerus sp. |
Potter Wasp,
Subfamily Eumeninae |
| Vespidae (True Wasps), Subfamily Masarinae - Pollen Wasps |
Pollen Wasp,
Pseudomasaris coquilletti |
Pollen Wasp,
Pseudomasaris edwardsii |
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| Vespidae (True Wasps), Subfamily Polistinae - Paper Wasps |
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Western Paper Wasp, Mischocyttarus flavitarsis |
Paper Wasp,
Polistes apachus |
Paper Wasp,
Polistes aurifer |
European Paper Wasp,
Polistes dominula |
Paper Wasp,
Polistes dorsalis californicus |
Common Paper Wasp,
Polistes exclamans |
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| Vespidae (True Wasps), Subfamily Vespinae - Hornets and Yellowjackets |
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Western Yellowjacket,
Vespula pensylvanica |
California Yellowjacket,
Vespula sulphurea |
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