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Great black wasp

Great black wasp

Sphex pensylvanicus

A species of Digger wasps, Also known as Steel-blue cricket hunter

Unlike other wasps, the great black wasp( Sphex pensylvanicus) does not have stripes or other markings. It is large and has metallic black colored wings and spiny legs. They don’t like to create huge colonies like other species. However, the solitary wasp may dig their nest into the ground and lay multiple eggs so that their nests can have multiple larvae. They are parasitic and lay their eggs on other insects, such as katydid and grasshopper.

Toxic to Animals
Toxic to Animals
Does the Great black wasp sting humans?
Human Stinging
General Info About Great black wasp
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Attributes of Great black wasp
Colors
Black
Blue
Habitat
meadow; field
Adult Food Sources
Nectar, honeydew, sap, fruits, insect prey
Larva Food Source
Caterpillars, grasshoppers, crickets, other insects
Biting/stinging
Not reported
Allergy-causing
Not reported
Defensive attack
The Great black wasp has special defensive behaviors that can trigger an allergic reaction. If there are serious reactions, seek IMMEDIATE medical attention.
Venomous
The Great black wasp can induce toxic reactions varying in severity. Nevertheless, these toxins primarily target their prey and predators and are usually not fatal to humans.
Non-poisonous
Not reported
Borer
Not reported
Biting animal or pet
Yes
Mouthparts Type
Chewing-lapping mouthparts
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Species Status of Great black wasp
They live across most of North America. It is distributed across most of the Continental United States and northern Mexico. During the late 20th century, its range expanded up to New York and the Canadian provinces of Quebec and Ontario.
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Distribution Area of Great black wasp
United States, Northern Mexico
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Appearance of Great black wasp
They grows to a size of 2 - 3.5 cm. Males are smaller than females, at only 1.8 - 2.5 cm long, to females 2.5 - 3.5 cm. As well as being larger than S. ichneumoneus, they are also darker, with smoky wings and an entirely black body, where S. ichneumoneus has yellow wings, red legs, and a partly red abdomen.
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How to Identify Great black wasp?

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Life Cycle of Great black wasp
Egg The egg of great black wasp is typically elongated and minute. It remains dormant until conditions are favorable for hatching. Hidden from predators, this stage is marked by a lack of mobility and no resemblance to the adult form.
Larva Upon hatching, the larva of great black wasp is predominantly a feeding stage, consuming a significant amount of food to grow rapidly. Larvae are worm-like with a soft exoskeleton and distinct from the adult great black wasp in form and function.
Pupal After several molts, great black wasp enters the pupal stage. Within this cocoon-like enclosure, it undergoes a profound transformation. This phase is static, with the insect encased and reorganizing internally.
Adult Emerging from the pupa, the adult great black wasp’s development is marked by the presence of wings and functional reproductive organs. The body is fully formed and hardened, and the adult is mobile, focusing on reproduction.
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Predators of Adult Great black wasp
Birds, rodents, spiders, mantises, other predatory insects
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Interesting Facts About Great black wasp
Great black wasp possesses a unique hunting method where it paralyzes its prey with venom before storing it in a burrow for its offspring.
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Scientific Classification of Great black wasp
Tips for Finding Great black wasp
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Youth Habitat of Great black wasp
Grasslands and Prairies, Sandy Areas, Urban and Suburban Areas
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Adult Habitat of Great black wasp
Grasslands and Prairies, Sandy Areas, Urban and Suburban Areas, Agricultural and Cultivated Areas
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How Can You Attract Great black wasp
Insects or nectar, as great black wasp is a predatory species of wasp that may also feed on plant exudates.
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Habitat Preferences of Great black wasp Through Different Life Stages
The larvae of great black wasp reside underground where the adult wasps have created burrows and supplied them with paralyzed insects. Searching for the larvae would necessitate gentle excavation of these nests in loose soil, typically located in sunny, well-drained areas. Adult great black wasp can often be found in arid grasslands or gardens, foraging among flowers for nectar or hunting for their prey, usually crickets. To observe adults, one should look in open, sunny locations where flowers are abundant or where crickets are active, as they are the prey used to stock their subterranean nests for their offspring.
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How and Where Can You Find Great black wasp at Different Life Stages
Adult Great black wasp adults can be found in areas with abundant insect activity such as gardens or meadows. Look for them hunting or foraging for food during the day.
Larva Great black wasp larvae are located in underground nests or in cavities sealed by the adult female. Searching for these nests requires gentle digging near burrow entrances, typically found in loosely packed soil with low vegetation.
Egg Great black wasp eggs are laid within nests, each in a separate cell with a paralyzed insect that serves as food for the hatching larva. Discovering eggs would involve locating a recently constructed nest, typically not recommended because of the potential to disturb the nest ecology.
Are Great black wasp harmful?
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Harmful Effects of Great black wasp
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Toxic to Animals
Icon toxic for
Human Stinging
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Toxic to Animals

Great black wasp utilizes its venom primarily as a means to subdue prey rather than for defense. The venom is mild and is secreted through the mouthparts when it bites. Insects such as ants and beetles are typically targeted and may succumb to the venom, which incapacitates them, allowing great black wasp to consume them. While the venom is mainly effective against smaller creatures, other animals, if bitten, may experience only minor discomfort due to the toxin's low potency in larger organisms.

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Does the Great black wasp sting humans?

Great black wasp is not typically aggressive towards humans and stings are rare, mostly occurring when provoked or handled. Stinging usually results from a defensive behavior rather than predatory. Negative effects on humans are generally minor, including localized pain and swelling. There are no unique stinging characteristics or significant impacts on great black wasp post-stinging.

More Effects of Great black wasp

Beneficial Effects of Great black wasp
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Pollinator
Predators of Pests
Pollinator
Pollination Behavior Reason
Eat Pollen Or Nectar
Great black wasp is attracted to flowers by their vivid colors and enticing smells. While primarily seeking nectar, they inadvertently collect pollen on their bodies. As they move from flower to flower, they transfer pollen, aiding in plant fertilization. This incidental contact during feeding makes them effective pollinators.
Predators of Pests
Stage
Adults
Diets
Orthopteran Insects
Great black wasp is a specialized hunter, primarily targeting orthopterans such as grasshoppers and crickets to provision their nests. The female stings her prey to paralyze it, then carries this living yet immobile feast to her burrow as sustenance for her larvae, demonstrating a fascinating aspect of insect behavior and parental care.
Common Questions People Also Ask
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