Subject: Some kind of wasp?!
Geographic location of the bug: Palm Springs, CA
Date: 06/11/2019
Time: 08:04 AM EDT
Your letter to the bugman: Hi, I’m wondering if this is some kind of Wasp? Perhaps a bee ?♀️ I found it inside my house. But haven’t been able to identify what it is. Seems like the butt is skinnier than most wasps & it’s about an inch long. Moves very quick too. Definetly has a stinger. Also I did free it from the bag after I took pics. (The second photo is of its under body)
How you want your letter signed: Alyssa
Dear Alyssa,
This appears to be what in the past we have classified as a Tiphiid Wasp in the genus Myzimun, but there has apparently been some reclassification of the genus. Now the genus Myzimun is classified in the family Thynnidae according to BugGuide. This is a male Wasp and male Wasps are not able to sting. According to BugGuide: “Larvae are parasitoids of white grubs (scarab larvae), especially Phyllophaga and other Scarabaeidae, and to a lesser extent Cicindelinae. Adults take nectar, mostly from Asteraceae and Apiaceae” and “Used in turfgrass pest management.” Because of your submission, Daniel is going to have to do some reclassification in the archives and move many formerly identified Tiphiid Wasps into a new family category Thynnid Wasps.
