This wasp is approximately 1 inch in length. It is shiny black with purple iridescent wings. The antennae are black with a curl at the ends. The legs are two-toned with the femur being black and the tibia and tarsi being orange. An almost identical wasp, the Katydid Wasp (Sphex nudus) is more robust and is usually seen at flowers. This wasp was identified by a volunteer expert from the BugGuide Web Site.
This wasp is probably uncommon. It has been seen in late June and early July in Fontenelle Forest crawling around on the dirt trails and over fallen logs.
It is a Wood Roach hunter. It provides paralyzed roaches for the larvae in mud covered cells under bark flaps or pre-existing cavities in wood. There are 3 species in this genus in North America.
The content of NatureSearch is provided by dedicated volunteer Naturalists of Fontenelle Forest who strive to provide the most accurate information available. Contributors of the images retain their copyrights. The point of contact for this page is: Loren Padelford.