Excaverus

Taxonomy

Excavarus sp. belong to the family Ichneumonidae within the subfamily Tryphoninae. This genus of Ichneumon wasp is characterized by their slender bodies, elongated antennae, and often cryptic coloration. The geographic range of the wasp genus Excavarus spans across various regions worldwide. These wasps are found in North America, South America, Europe, Asia, Africa, and Australia. The MN Bee Atlas currently could not identify Excavarus wasps to species. 

Description

Excavarus wasps look like many other Ichneumon species, and it can sometimes be hard to identify specimens to species. They are around 5 to 10mm long. Excavarus species are characterized by their slender body, elongated antennae, and typically cryptic coloration, often consisting of various shades of brown, black, and yellow. These wasps have well-developed wings with intricate venation patterns. Their relatively small size distinguishes them among other Ichneumon wasps. They are known for their agility and swift movements. 

Nest Structure

The nesting habits of Ichneumon wasps in the genus Excavarus involve parasitizing the larvae of other insects. No host emerged from the Bee Atlas nest that produced Excaverus sp.

Hole Sizes

No information at this time.

Voltinism

This species appears to be univoltine throughout its range, completing one generation per year in Minnesota. 

Activity Period

No information at this time.

References

BugGuide. 2024. Excavarus velox (Say, 1825). Accessed May 17, 2024. Available online at: https://bugguide.net/node/view/250255.

Discover Life. 2024. "Ichneumonidae." In Proceedings of the Ecological Society of America, vol. 6. Accessed May 17, 2024. https://www.discoverlife.org/proceedings/0000/6/html/Ichneumonidae.html

Entomological Society of Saskatchewan. 2012. ESSNewsletter March 2012, Volume 31, Issue 1.

Thank you to John Luhman for identifying all of our Ichneumonid specimens.