Sphecid wasps of the world: A generic revision

Abstract

When primitive man established his abode in caves, under cliff overhangs or in rudely constructed forest shelters, he came into close contact with wasps of the family Sphecidae. These insects had been making use of such protected places as nest sites for a long time, and there was probably an adverse reaction to the intrusion. The result may have been an uneasy truce and occasional "warfare." When man moved into more sophisticated dwellings, the wasps moved with him and proceeded to build nests under the eaves of his house, in his garden pathways, and in the twigs of his ornamental plants. Today, every farm boy and many city youngsters quickly learn to recognize the blue muddauber, the black and yellow mud-dauber, the cicadakiller, and the bembicin sand wasps. The relationship with these insects is generally unfriendly and results from a fear of their greatly overrated stinging powers. Actually, sphecids are mainly beneficial to man and are relatively harmless.