Order: Hymenoptera
This order contains sawflies, bees, wasps, and ants. There are over 150,000 species described with more to go. For many of these the ovipositor is modified into a stinger. Some of these species are pollinators. Stinging wasps are predators.
No Information Domesticated Near Threatened Endangered Extinct in the Wild
Data Deficient Least Concern Vulnerable Critically Endangered
Data Deficient Least Concern Vulnerable Critically Endangered
Family: Andrenidae (Mining bees)
There are roughly 41 genra and over 3,000 species described here.
There are over 1,200 species native to the United States. These bees nest on the ground as do Digger Bees and Sweat Bees. The Mining Bee best fits this image, but I will update this if I learn anything more.
see also: Mining Bee
For more information select the common name above.
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Family: Apidae
Three Subfamilies: Apinae, Nomadinae, Xylocopinae containing 5,700 species described here.
Subfamily: Apinae
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Common Eastern Bumblebee
Bombus impatiens Most likely this species (there are over 250 species). This species is the most common in the eastern United States and ranges from Maine to the Dakotas south to Florida. They form small colonies around a female queen.
See also: Bumblebee
For more information select the common name above.
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Western Bumblebee
Bombus occidentalis This species spanned the western United States at one time. Today, its population, range, and abundance are down an average of 40%. As a general forager, it searches for food at elevations from shorelines to 6,000 feet in the mountains. It used underground rodent burrows for its nests, and some have grown to over 6 feet in length.
For more information select the common name above.
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Italian bee
Apis mellifera ligustica A subspecies of the Western Honey Bee Apis mellifera, this is the most common species in North America. They are more used to warmer climates and do well in the South.
Male honey bees are missing half their chromosomes (1N). They literally have only a mother. Female workers and queens have a full set of chromosomes (2N) - both mother and father. For more information select the common name above.
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Subfamily: Xylocopinae
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Galapagos Carpenter Bee
Xylocopa darwini For more information select the common name above.
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Family: Crabronidae
There are over 9,000 species described here.
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Four-Banded Stinkbug Wasp
Bicyrtes quadrifasciatus For more information select the common name above.
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Family: Formicidae (Ants)
There are over 22,000 species described here.
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Big Headed Ant
Pheidole megacephala One of the most invasive species on Earth.
For more information select the common name above.
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Family: Mutillidae (Velvet Ants (Wasps))
There are 118 genera and over 7,000 species described here.
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Thistledown Velvet Ant
Dasymutilla gloriosa For more information select the common name above.
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Velvet Ant
Dasymutilla quadriguttata For more information select the common name above.
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Family: Sphecidae (Thread-Waisted Wasps)
There are 19 genera and over 700 species described here.
Common Thread-Waisted Wasp
Ammophilia procera Thread-Waisted Wasps gets their names from their thin abdomens. They dig nests in the ground and use their jaws to drag their pray underground. Like the Digger Wasps, eggs will hatch with meals waiting. Adults will also drink nectar and prey on small insects. These wasps are not aggressive, although they will defend themselves.
For more information select the common name above.
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Black-and-Yellow Mud Dauber
Sceliphron caementarium This is a common wasp that builds nests from mud and hunts spiders. A female wasp will place a single larvae in a nest with upwards of 25 paralyzed live spiders for food once the larva hatches. Although beneficial, they are considered a nuisance.
For more information select the common name above.
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Great Golden Digger Wasp
Sphex ichneumoneus Also known as a Great Golden Sand Digger, this is one of 130 species of digger wasps, these wasps dig holes as nests. Each hole may several places to lay eggs. The wasps will include paralyzed prey which remain alive until the eggs hatch providing the newly-hatched larvae with a meal.
For more information select the common name above.
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Family: Thynnidae (Flower Wasps)
There are around 34 genera described here.
Five-Banded Thynnid Wasp
Myzinum quinquecintum The male wasp has a false stinger while the female can sting. These wasps prey on garden pests.
see also: here For more information select the common name above.
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Family: Verpidae (Social Wasps)
There are around 35 genera and over 5,000 species described here.
For more information select the common name above.
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Paper Wasp
Polistes bellicosus For more information select the common name above.
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Also known as a Variegated Paper Wasp.
For more information select the common name above.
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Eastern Yellow Jacket
Vespula maculifrons Often mistaken for a bee, the Yellow Jacket is actually a wasp. They are social wasps living in nest with hundreds or even thousands of others. Yellow Jackets will aggressively defend their nests. They will feed on a variety of foods ranging from nectar to scavenged insects to live insects. Interestingly one of their main predators is the raccoon.
For more information select the common name above.
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