Learning Center What is a mineral?The most common minerals on earth Information for Educators Mindat Articles The Elements The Rock H. Currier Digital Library Geologic Time

Minerals by Properties Minerals by Chemistry Advanced Locality Search Random Mineral Random Locality Search by minID Localities Near Me Search Articles Search Glossary More Search Options

The Mindat Manual Add a New Photo Rate Photos Locality Edit Report Coordinate Completion Report Add Glossary Item

Mining Companies Statistics Users Mineral Museums Clubs & Organizations Mineral Shows & Events The Mindat Directory Device Settings The Mineral Quiz

Photo Search Photo Galleries Search by Color New Photos Today New Photos Yesterday Members' Photo Galleries Past Photo of the Day Gallery Photography

BETA TEST - Fossil data and pages are very much experimental and under development. Please report any problems

Sphex

Photos

Photo Gallery

Description

Wasps of the genus Sphex (commonly known as digger wasps) are cosmopolitan predators that sting and paralyze prey insects. Sphex is one of many genera in the old digger wasp family Sphecidae (sensu lato), though most apart from the Sphecinae have now been moved to the family Crabronidae. There are over 130 known Sphex species.

From Wikipedia article at https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Sphex, which is released under the Creative Commons Attribution-Share-Alike License 3.0.

Source Data

Source	ID	Link
Global Biodiversity Information Facility ID (GBIF)	1311747	https://www.gbif.org/species/1311747
PaleoBioDB ID (PBDB)	152452	https://paleobiodb.org/classic/checkTaxonInfo?taxon_no=152452

Rank

genus

Taxonomy (GBIF,PBDB)

Life : Animalia : Arthropoda : Insecta : Hymenoptera : Sphecidae : Sphex

Taxonomic Status (GBIF)

doubtful

Classification
(PBDB,GBIF)

Rank	Name	Author
-	Eukaryota
-	Opisthokonta	Cavalier-Smith 1987
kingdom	Animalia
-	Bilateria
-	Eubilateria	Ax 1987
-	Protostomia	Grobben 1908
-	Ecdysozoa
-	Panarthropoda
phylum	Arthropoda	Latreille 1829
subphylum	Mandibulata
-	Pancrustacea
superclass	Hexapoda	Latreille 1825
-	Cercofilata	Kukalová-Peck 1987
class	Insecta	Linnaeus 1758
-	Dicondylia
-	Paranotalia	Sroka et al. 2014
subclass	Pterygota	Brauer 1885
-	Neopterygota	Crampton 1924
infraclass	Neoptera	Martynov 1923
-	Holometabola
order	Hymenoptera	Linnaeus 1758
-	Unicalcarida	Schulmeister et al. 2002
suborder	Vespina
suborder	Apocrita	Gerstaecker 1867
-	Aculeata
superfamily	Apoidea	Latreille 1802
family	Sphecidae	Latreille 1802
subfamily	Sphecinae	Latreille 1802
tribe	Sphecini	Latreille 1802
genus	Sphex	Linnaeus 1758

Scientific Name

Sphex

Opinions (PBDB)

Name	Rank	Opinion	Evidence	Author
Sphex	genus	belongs to Hymenoptera	stated with evidence	Linnaeus, 1758
Sphex	genus	belongs to Aculeata	stated with evidence	Scopoli, 1763
Sphex	genus	belongs to Hymenoptera	stated with evidence	Müller, 1764
Sphex	genus	belongs to Gymnoptera	stated with evidence	Schaeffer, 1766
Sphex	genus	belongs to Hymenoptera	stated with evidence	Linnaeus, 1767
Sphex	genus	belongs to Synistata	stated with evidence	Fabricius, 1775
Sphex	genus	belongs to Hymenoptera	stated with evidence	Müller, 1776
Sphex	genus	belongs to Piezata	stated with evidence	Fabricius, 1798
Sphex	genus	belongs to Sphegimae	stated with evidence	Latreille, 1802
Sphex	genus	belongs to Spheginae	stated with evidence	Statz, 1936
Sphex	genus	belongs to Sphecidae	stated without evidence	Carpenter, 1992
Sphex	genus	belongs to Sphecini	stated with evidence	Pulawski, 2014

Status (PBDB)

extant

Taxon Size (PBDB)

Extant Size (PBDB)

1 (25%)

First Recorded Appearance

28.1 - 23.0 Ma
Cenozoic

Environment

terrestrial (based on Insecta)

Motility

actively mobile (based on Arthropoda)

Taphonomy

chitin (based on Insecta)

Primary Reference (PBDB)

C. Linnaeus. 1758. Systema Naturae per Regna Tria Naturae, Secundum Classes, Ordines, Genera, Species, cum Characteribus, Differentiis, Synonymis, Locis. Editio Decima 1:1-824

Wikipedia

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Sphex

External Images

Fossil Distribution

Subtaxa

Name	Status	Common Name(s)	Fossil Occurrences	Oldest	Youngest
Sphex abyssinicus species	accepted (GBIF)	No associated record in PBDB
Sphex ahasverus species	accepted (GBIF)	No associated record in PBDB
Sphex alacer species	accepted (GBIF)	No associated record in PBDB
Sphex antennatus species	accepted (GBIF)	No associated record in PBDB
Sphex argentatus species	accepted (GBIF)	No associated record in PBDB
Sphex argentinus species	accepted (GBIF)	No associated record in PBDB
Sphex ashmeadi species	accepted (GBIF)	No associated record in PBDB
Sphex atropilosus species	accepted (GBIF)	No associated record in PBDB
Sphex basilicus species	accepted (GBIF)	No associated record in PBDB
Sphex bilobatus species	accepted (GBIF)	No associated record in PBDB
Sphex bischoffi ✝ species	listed (PBDB)		1	12.7 Ma Miocene	12.7 Ma Miocene
Sphex bohemanni species	accepted (GBIF)	No associated record in PBDB
Sphex brachystomus species	accepted (GBIF)	No associated record in PBDB
Sphex brasilianus species	accepted (GBIF)	No associated record in PBDB
Sphex caeruleanus species	accepted (GBIF)	No associated record in PBDB
Sphex caliginosus species	accepted (GBIF)	No associated record in PBDB
Sphex camposi species	accepted (GBIF)	No associated record in PBDB
Sphex castaneipes species	accepted (GBIF)	No associated record in PBDB
Sphex cinerascens species	accepted (GBIF)	No associated record in PBDB
Sphex cognatus species	accepted (GBIF)	No associated record in PBDB
Sphex confrater species	accepted (GBIF)	No associated record in PBDB
Sphex cristi species	accepted (GBIF)	No associated record in PBDB
Sphex cubensis species	accepted (GBIF)	No associated record in PBDB
Sphex darwinensis species	accepted (GBIF)	No associated record in PBDB
Sphex decipiens species	accepted (GBIF)	No associated record in PBDB
Sphex decoratus species	accepted (GBIF)	No associated record in PBDB
Sphex deplanatus species	accepted (GBIF)	No associated record in PBDB
Sphex diabolicus species	accepted (GBIF)	No associated record in PBDB
Sphex dorsalis species	accepted (GBIF)	No associated record in PBDB
Sphex dorycus species	accepted (GBIF)	No associated record in PBDB
Sphex ephippium species	accepted (GBIF)	No associated record in PBDB
Sphex ermineus species	accepted (GBIF)	No associated record in PBDB
Sphex erythrinus species	accepted (GBIF)	No associated record in PBDB
Sphex ferrugineipes species	accepted (GBIF)	No associated record in PBDB
Sphex finschii species	accepted (GBIF)	No associated record in PBDB
Sphex flavipennis species	accepted (GBIF)	No associated record in PBDB
Sphex flavovestitus species	accepted (GBIF)	No associated record in PBDB
Sphex fumicatus species	accepted (GBIF)	No associated record in PBDB
Sphex fumipennis species	accepted (GBIF)	No associated record in PBDB
Sphex funerarius species	accepted (GBIF)	No associated record in PBDB
Sphex gaullei species	accepted (GBIF)	No associated record in PBDB
Sphex gigantea ✝ species	listed (PBDB)		1	12.7 Ma Miocene	12.7 Ma Miocene
Sphex gilberti species	accepted (GBIF)	No associated record in PBDB
Sphex gisteli species	accepted (GBIF)	No associated record in PBDB
Sphex guatemalensis species	accepted (GBIF)	No associated record in PBDB
Sphex habenus species	accepted (GBIF)	No associated record in PBDB
Sphex haemorrhoidalis species	accepted (GBIF)	No associated record in PBDB
Sphex hirtipes species	accepted (GBIF)	No associated record in PBDB
Sphex ichneumoneus species	accepted (GBIF)	No associated record in PBDB
Sphex incomptus species	accepted (GBIF)	No associated record in PBDB
Sphex ingens species	accepted (GBIF)	No associated record in PBDB
Sphex inusitatus species	accepted (GBIF)	No associated record in PBDB
Sphex jamaicensis species	accepted (GBIF)	No associated record in PBDB
Sphex jansei species	accepted (GBIF)	No associated record in PBDB
Sphex kolthoffi species	accepted (GBIF)	No associated record in PBDB
Sphex lanatus species	accepted (GBIF)	No associated record in PBDB
Sphex latreillei species	accepted (GBIF)	No associated record in PBDB
Sphex latro species	accepted (GBIF)	No associated record in PBDB
Sphex leuconotus species	accepted (GBIF)	No associated record in PBDB
Sphex libycus species	accepted (GBIF)	No associated record in PBDB
Sphex lucae species	accepted (GBIF)	No associated record in PBDB
Sphex luctuosus species	accepted (GBIF)	No associated record in PBDB
Sphex malagassus species	accepted (GBIF)	No associated record in PBDB
Sphex mandibularis species	accepted (GBIF)	No associated record in PBDB
Sphex maximiliani species	accepted (GBIF)	No associated record in PBDB
Sphex melanocnemis species	accepted (GBIF)	No associated record in PBDB
Sphex melanopus species	accepted (GBIF)	No associated record in PBDB
Sphex melas species	accepted (GBIF)	No associated record in PBDB
Sphex mendozanus species	accepted (GBIF)	No associated record in PBDB
Sphex mimulus species	accepted (GBIF)	No associated record in PBDB
Sphex mochii species	accepted (GBIF)	No associated record in PBDB
Sphex modestus species	accepted (GBIF)	No associated record in PBDB
Sphex muticus species	accepted (GBIF)	No associated record in PBDB
Sphex neavei species	accepted (GBIF)	No associated record in PBDB
Sphex neoumbrosus species	accepted (GBIF)	No associated record in PBDB
Sphex nigrohirtus species	accepted (GBIF)	No associated record in PBDB
Sphex nitidiventris species	accepted (GBIF)	No associated record in PBDB
Sphex nudus species	accepted (GBIF)	No associated record in PBDB
Sphex obscura ✝ species	listed (PBDB)		1	28.1 Ma Oligocene	28.1 Ma Oligocene
Sphex observabilis species	accepted (GBIF)	No associated record in PBDB
Sphex opacus species	accepted (GBIF)	No associated record in PBDB
Sphex optimus species	accepted (GBIF)	No associated record in PBDB
Sphex oxianus species	accepted (GBIF)	No associated record in PBDB
Sphex paulinierii species	accepted (GBIF)	No associated record in PBDB
Sphex pensylvanicus species	accepted (GBIF)	No associated record in PBDB
Sphex permagnus species	accepted (GBIF)	No associated record in PBDB
Sphex peruanus species	accepted (GBIF)	No associated record in PBDB
Sphex praedator species	accepted (GBIF)	No associated record in PBDB
Sphex prosper species	accepted (GBIF)	No associated record in PBDB
Sphex pruinosus species	accepted (GBIF)	No associated record in PBDB
Sphex resinipes species	accepted (GBIF)	No associated record in PBDB
Sphex resplendens species	accepted (GBIF)	No associated record in PBDB
Sphex rex species	accepted (GBIF)	No associated record in PBDB
Sphex rhodosoma species	accepted (GBIF)	No associated record in PBDB
Sphex rufinervis species	accepted (GBIF)	No associated record in PBDB
Sphex rufiscutis species	accepted (GBIF)	No associated record in PBDB
Sphex rugifer species	accepted (GBIF)	No associated record in PBDB
Sphex satanas species	accepted (GBIF)	No associated record in PBDB
Sphex schoutedeni species	accepted (GBIF)	No associated record in PBDB
Sphex schrottkyi species	accepted (GBIF)	No associated record in PBDB
Sphex sericeus species	accepted (GBIF)	No associated record in PBDB
Sphex servillei species	accepted (GBIF)	No associated record in PBDB
Sphex solomon species	accepted (GBIF)	No associated record in PBDB
Sphex stadelmanni species	accepted (GBIF)	No associated record in PBDB
Sphex staudingeri species	accepted (GBIF)	No associated record in PBDB
Sphex subhyalinus species	accepted (GBIF)	No associated record in PBDB
Sphex subtruncatus species	accepted (GBIF)	No associated record in PBDB
Sphex tanoi species	accepted (GBIF)	No associated record in PBDB
Sphex taschenbergi species	accepted (GBIF)	No associated record in PBDB
Sphex tepanecus species	accepted (GBIF)	No associated record in PBDB
Sphex texanus species	accepted (GBIF)	No associated record in PBDB
Sphex tinctipennis species	accepted (GBIF)	No associated record in PBDB
Sphex tomentosus species	accepted (GBIF)	No associated record in PBDB
Sphex torridus species	accepted (GBIF)	No associated record in PBDB
Sphex vestitus species	accepted (GBIF)	No associated record in PBDB
Sphex walshae species	accepted (GBIF)	No associated record in PBDB
Sphex wilsoni species	accepted (GBIF)	No associated record in PBDB

Synonymy List

Year	Name and Author
1758	Sphex Linnaeus p. 569
1761	Sphex Linnaeus p. 411
1763	Sphex Scopoli p. 290
1764	Sphex Müller p. 72
1766	Sphex Schaeffer
1767	Sphex Linnaeus p. 941
1770	Sphex Drury
1771	Sphex Forster p. 85
1775	Sphex Fabricius p. 346

Year	Name and Author
1776	Sphex Müller p. 160
1780	Sphex Harris p. 95
1796	Sphex Latreille p. 115
1798	Sphex Fabricius p. 211
1802	Sphex Latreille p. 332
1936	Sphex Statz p. 284
1992	Sphex Carpenter
2014	Sphex Pulawski

References

Linnaeus C. , Systema Naturae per Regna Tria Naturae, Secundum Classes, Ordines, Genera, Species, cum Characteribus, Differentiis, Synonymis, Locis. Editio Decima 1, 1-824 doi:10.5962/bhl.title.542

Linnaeus C. , Fauna Svecica: Sistens Animalia Sveciae Regni: Mammalia, Aves, Amphibia, Pisces, Insecta, Vermes, Distributa per Classes & Ordines, Genera & Species, cum Differentiis Specierum, Synonymis Auctorum, Nominibus Incolarum, Locis Natalium, Descriptionibus Insectorum, 1-578

Scopoli G. A. , Entomologica Carniolica Exhibens Insecta Carnioliae Indigena et Distributa in Ordines, Genera, Species, Varietates Methodo Linnaeana, 1-421

Müller O. F. , Fauna Insectorum Fridrichsdalina, Sive Methodica Descriptio Insectorum Agri Fridrichsdalensis, cum Characteribus Genericis et Specificis, Nominibus Trivialibus, Locis Natalibus, Iconibus Allegatis, Novisque Pluribus Speciebus Additis, 1-96

Linnaeus C. , Systema Naturae per Regna Tria Naturae, Secundum Classes, Ordines, Genera, Species, cum Characteribus, Differentiis, Synonymis, Locis. Editio Duodecima 1 2, 533-1327

Drury D. , Illustrations of Natural History. Wherein are Exhibited Upwards of Two Hundred and Forty Figures of Exotic Insects, According to Their Different Genera; Very Few of Which Have Hitherto Been Figured by any Author, Being Engraved and Coloured from Nature, with the Greatest Accuracy, and Under the Author's Own Inspection, on Fifty Copper-Plates. With a Particular Description of each Insect: Interspersed with Remarks and Reflections on the Nature and Properties of Many of Them 1, 1-130

Forster J. R. , Novae Species Insectorum. Centuria I, 1-100

Fabricius J. C. , Systema Entomologiae, Sistens Insectorum Classes, Ordines, Genera, Species Adiectis Synonymis, Locis, Descriptionibus, Observationibus, 1-832

Müller O. F. , Zoologicae Danicae Prodromus, seu Animalium Daniae et Norvegiae Indigenarum. Characteres, Nomina et Synonyma Imprimis Popularium, 1-281

Harris M. , An Exposition of English Insects, Including the Several Classes of Neuroptera, Hymenoptera, & Diptera, or Bees, Flies, & Libellulae, 73-166

Latreille P. A. , Précis des Caractères Génériques des Insectes Disposés dans un Ordre Naturel, 1-201

Fabricius J. C. , Supplementum Entomologiae Systematicae, 1-572

Latreille P. A. , Histoire Naturelle, Générale et Particulière des Crustacés et des Insectes, Tome Troisième, 1-467

Statz G. (1936) Ueber alte und neue fossile Hymenopterenfunde aus den Tertiaren Ablagerungen von Rott am Siebengebirge, Decheniana 93, 256-312

Carpenter F. M. (1992) , Treatise on Invertebrate Paleontology Part R, Arthropoda 4: Superclass Hexapoda 3/4, 1-655

Pulawski W. J. (2014) Family group names and classification, Catalog of Sphecidae Sensu Lato (= Apoidea excluding Apidae)

International Commission on Zoological Nomenclature. Opinion 180 On the status of the names Sphex Linnaeus, 1758, and Ammophila Kirby, 1798 (class Insecta, order Hymenoptera).Opinions and declarations rendered by the International Commission on Zoological Nomenclature 2(50), 569-588 (1946) - via Official Lists and Indexes of Names in Zoology

ArtDatabanken (2004) TAXA-tabellen - via Dyntaxa. Svensk taxonomisk databas

CoL2006 - via The Interim Register of Marine and Nonmarine Genera

Nomenclator Zoologicus. A list of the names of genera and subgenera in zoology from the tenth edition of Linnaeus, 1758 to the end of 2004. Digitised by uBio from vols. 1-9 of Neave (ed.), 1939-1996 plus supplementary digital-only volume. http://ubio.org/NomenclatorZoologicus (as at 2006). - via The Interim Register of Marine and Nonmarine Genera

SN2000: Brands, S. J. (compiler) 1989-2005. Systema Naturae 2000. Amsterdam, The Netherlands (2006 version). Available online at http://sn2000.taxonomy.nl/. - via The Interim Register of Marine and Nonmarine Genera

as per family - via The Interim Register of Marine and Nonmarine Genera

Linnaeus, C. (1758). Systema Naturae per Regna Tria Naturae, Secundum Classes, Ordines, Genera, Species, cum Characteribus, Differentiis, Synonymis, Locis. 10th edition. - via The Interim Register of Marine and Nonmarine Genera

Data courtesy of: PBDB: The Paleobiology Database, Creative Commons CC-BY licenced. , GBIF: the Global Biodiversity Information Facility, various licences, iDigBio, various licences, and EOL: The Encyclopedia of Life (Open Data Public Domain). Because fossils are made of minerals too!

Quick NavTop External Images Fossil Distribution Subtaxa Synonymy List References

Mindat.org is an outreach project of the Hudson Institute of Mineralogy, a 501(c)(3) not-for-profit organization.
Copyright © mindat.org and the Hudson Institute of Mineralogy 1993-2024, except where stated. Most political location boundaries are © OpenStreetMap contributors. Mindat.org relies on the contributions of thousands of members and supporters. Founded in 2000 by Jolyon Ralph.
Privacy Policy - Terms & Conditions - Contact Us / DMCA issues - Report a bug/vulnerability Current server date and time: May 1, 2024 19:14:50

Go to top of page