thread-waisted wasp, any insect of the subfamily Sphecinae belonging to the family Sphecidae (order Hymenoptera). They are Sphecinaeany of a group of large, common, solitary (nonsocial) wasps , usually more than 2.5 centimetres (about 1 inch) long. The common name derives from in the family Sphecidae (order Hymenoptera) that are named for the stalklike anterior (front) end of the abdomen. Thread-waisted wasps are typically more than 2.5 cm (about 1 inch) long and are parasitic on insects and spiders. The host , paralyzed by the wasp’s sting, is often numbed by malaxation—a malaxation, a pinching or crushing of the neck by the wasp’s pincer-like jawspincerlike jaws, and paralyzed by the wasp’s sting. The wasp seals places the host’s body in a mud cell with and lays an egg on it. Upon hatching, the larva consumes the host.

Members of the tribe Sphecini , are often black with partly orange or yellow abdomens, markings on the abdomen. They nest in burrows and provision their cells with caterpillars, which are eaten by the wasp larva. The mud daubers (tribe Sceliphronini) are commonly black with yellow spots and yellow legs; , although some are metallic blue. They usually build several mud cells placed together , often constructing them in the corners of eaves or ceilings. The cells are provisioned with the bodies of paralyzed spiders. Wasps of the tribe Podiini provision their cells with cockroaches. Members , and members of the tribe Chlorionini nest in the ground and provide grasshoppers and crickets for their larvae.