Sapyga

Taxonomy

Sapygidae is a small family of wasps that parasitizes Megachilid bees. The Sapygid wasps are relatively rare, and not well studied (Kurzenko (1996). There are 18 species recorded in North America, north of Mexico (Kurzenko, 1996).

Description

Sapyga martini are yellow and black wasps of small-medium size, superficially similar to the small Eumenid wasps that nest in Bee Atlas blocks. However, they have smoother exoskeletons and flatter abdomens then Eumenids.

Nest Structure

In Bee Atlas blocks, Sapyga martini parasitized Osmia tersula and Osmia pumila.

Hole Sizes

No information at this time.

Voltinism

No information at this time.

Activity Period

No information at this time.

References

Kurzenko, N.V. (1996). A new Nearctic genus of Sapygidae with a key to the Nearctic and Palearctic genera (Hymenoptera, Sapygidae). In Norden, B. B. and Menke, A. S. (Eds.) Contributions on Hymenoptera and associated insects : dedicated to Karl V. Krombein (Vol: 17) Pages:89-94 Thank you to John Luhmen for help identifying parasitic wasps.