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Sphex

Sphex

9.9
A wasp that digs a nest in the ground and hunts insects alone
  • noun
  • Specialized
translation icon : Sphex
  • The Sphex is known for its unique nesting behavior.

Examples

  • Scientists observed a Sphex carrying a paralyzed cricket back to its nest.

  • A Sphex wasp dug a tunnel in the sandy soil to lay its eggs.

  • Unlike social wasps, the Sphex lives and hunts alone.

  • Have you ever seen a Sphex in the garden?

  • The sphex is known for its unique behavior of digging tunnels in the ground to create nests.

  • During the summer, you can often spot a sphex wasp searching for prey to bring back to its nest.

  • The sphex wasp skillfully burrows into the soil, creating a safe home for its young.

Synonyms

wasp
vsSphex
45 1.0

A flying insect like a bee with a narrow waist and a sting, often yellow and black

is a much narrower ground nesting genus rather than a general insect type
digger wasp
vsSphex
9.5

A wasp that lives alone, digs a nest in soil and brings stung insects for its young to eat

is a narrower genus of solitary ground nesting insects
Sphecidae
vsSphex
  • Specialized
9.9

A family of solitary wasps like mud daubers that build nests

is a single genus within that family focused on ground nesting
sphecoid wasp
vsSphex
  • Specialized
9.9

A solitary wasp that digs burrows and hunts other insects

is narrower as a single ground nesting genus not the whole group
sphecoid
vsSphex
  • Specialized
9.9

A wasp that lives alone and hunts insects, often making a nest in soil

is a specific genus rather than a general group term
Sphecoidea
vsSphex
  • Specialized
9.9

A large group of wasps that includes the families Sphecidae and Stizidae

is a narrower genus inside those related families focused on ground nesting

Surface Forms

Sphex singular
Sphexes plural

Etymology

Sphex comes from the ancient Greek word σφήξ, which means 'wasp'. That's why Sphex names this solitary wasp that digs a nest in the ground.