Grass-carrying Wasps: Isodontia

Types of Wasps and Bees Types of Bees Types of Wasps

Grass-carrying wasps of the genus Isodontia are named because of their practice of building cocoons shaped nests of grass for their young. Like other predator wasps such as the cricket hunter, they paralyzed prey (primarily small crickets), filling the nest with food for the developing larvae.

The association of grass with many residential areas of the United States means the species can be common around homes.

Many species are a solid black color, however, a couple of species, like the Isodontia elegans in the top picture, have red and black color patterns on the thorax or abdomen.

As with most solitary wasp species, they are not known to be agressive around humans. They nectar on flowers.

© 2008 Patricia A. Michaels