Thread subject: Diptera.info :: Sphex

Posted by Isidro on 07-08-2007 08:24
#1

This one was at Salada de la Playa, Monegros region, Aragon, Spain. Habitat: between salty marsh, steppe-lands and wheat fields. Size: about 5 cm. 22-07-2007

aycu25.webshots.com/image/24944/2000467841377782032_rs.jpg
aycu29.webshots.com/image/25228/2000489512185803365_rs.jpg
aycu39.webshots.com/image/23038/2000458703556066031_rs.jpg

What species can be??

Thanks ;)

Posted by Christian Schmid-Egger on 07-08-2007 08:37
#2

It's a female Sphex funerarius or flavipennis. 5 cm is not so probable, large females do reach 34 mm max.

Regards, Christian

Posted by Isidro on 07-08-2007 08:48
#3

Wow!!!! This is speed!!!!

Well, maybe in my imagination the wasp grow very fast :)

?How can I distinguish S. funerarios to S. flavipennis?

Thaaaaaanks ;)

Posted by Christian Schmid-Egger on 07-08-2007 19:37
#4

"?How can I distinguish S. funerarios to S. flavipennis?"

Females: By details in pubescence on mesonotum (thorax). S. flavipennis has a more golden and more shiny pubescence, which larger hairs, funerarius is grey with thin haires. Not visible here.
Males: by details in structure of antennal segments.

The species of Sphex are, against of its size, difficult to identify.

Regards, Christian

Posted by Isidro on 08-08-2007 15:42
#5

Thanks again Christian!

Maybe in this image can be identified? Although I thinks that it can be not the same species... but was in the same place and day

http://www.insectariumvirtual.com/galeria/details.php?image_id=13256

Posted by Christian Schmid-Egger on 11-08-2007 09:14
#6

The species on http://www.insectariumvirtual.com/galeria/details.php?image_id=13256 is the same species group. An identification by photo is not possible, it is difficult enough by dried specimens.

Regards, Christian

Posted by Isidro on 14-08-2007 22:56
#7

Thanks a lot!
Well, I will let as Sphex sp. ;)