Representative Genera
- Philanthus – Predatory wasps that hunt honeybees (Apis mellifera), often seen on bare soil.
- Cerceris – Hunt beetles, sometimes highly specialized.
- Trypoxylon – Spider predators, often nest in cavities.
- Bembix – Hunt flies for their larvae, dig in sandy soils.
- Crossocerus, Passaloecus, Ectemnius – Small black wasps, often predators of aphids or hemipterans.
Habitat
Crabronidae are found in:
- Bare, sandy, or loose soils
- Riverbanks, dunes, sand pits
- Dead wood, reeds, various cavities
- Frequently seen on umbellifers, asteraceae, and other open flowers
Biology
- Solitary wasps: each female builds and provisions her own nest
- Nesting:
- In soil, wood cavities, or hollow stems
- Larvae are fed with paralyzed prey
- Adult behavior:
- Flower-visiting (nectar)
- Targeted hunting behavior depending on the species
Distinctive Features
- Great behavioral diversity: hunting, nesting, habitat
- Sometimes mimics of other hymenopterans
- Important role in the natural control of insect populations
