called western killer species killer wasp western species shares nesting biology fellow species eastern killer like species genus mainly provides offspring forms nest mates year july early august wasp average length amber yellow yellow rings abdomen genus aggressive use venom mainly nests feed young females catch place brood cells lay eggs cells endemic central_america mexico found higher mean altitude species western killer males emerge earlier females generally die couple days distinguished pacific killer wasp coloration pattern species distinguished basis number yellow markings recent study showed character insufficient distinguish species distinguished density second taxonomy western killer described american naturalist thomas arizona species latin meaning large species genus north_america recently suspected western killer represents species occurs eastern killer pacific killer texas hunt nest eastern western killers hunt species analysis mitochondrial dna showed western killer contains represent distinct species appeared split rocky_mountains occurring mainly south east west description ranging size length western killer similar eastern cousin black body amber stripes yellow abdomen western killer spots second yellow markings generally found fifth variation average female length lies females larger males live year time long produce brood males die days time female book natural history desert referred resembling huge stated powerful compound eyes average males weigh females far heavier probably additional weight developing eggs reserves ratio flight muscle mass body mass sexes identification distinguishing species difficult female originally distinguished female yellow marks yellow marks found insufficient correct identification positions markings vary different species devised new key identify species examining species noting female examined yellow markings fewer yellow markings percent overlapped determined density colour second markings males found females found western killer wasp capable enables maintain territories day study showed territorial patrolling species high regulated temperature experiments found wasp ability shift heat abdomen abdomen generally kept colder dead placed sun reached high temperatures compared nearby plants life cycle emergence mating hatching offspring feed tissue provided mother males emerge females sexually receptive emergence july early august mate brood english naturalist pattern male emergence females evolved natural selection improve chances male mating timing emergence females evolved correspond similar emergence species area hunt nests yellow markings located dorsal portion found fifth males emerge earlier females males compete mating territories surrounding nests females located fight males risk damaging wings defense technique grab male carry high air thought demonstration strength general rule larger male predominant battles age influences success defense security territory younger wasp greater chance successful takeover territory small males engage non territorial mating tactics delay emergence chance survival emergence nest female sexually receptive choose mate instead male species finds female advances nesting males perch emerging nest pick area close nest females inside guard territory better chance mating tend perch different stumps wood grass blades low tree branches males assume alert posture ready challenge male predator study showed large majority marked returned perch day day males swapped different sites species rarely ground shares nesting biology killers ground nesting insects nest contain hundreds nests single female tunnel mainly drained bare sandy soil frequently generally sunlight approximately life spent underground rarely grounds rich vegetation order sun easily recognizable distinctive shaped digging entrance feeding hunting habits similar nesting feeding habits members genus notably female hunts low tree helped calls males insect piercing central nervous system nest place brood cells eventually lays egg cell females carry average heavier body mass killers ability capture mid flight approximately brood cell larvae hatch provides nutrition offspring feed hunt female tissue male easier locate explains bias male kills chiefly hunt killers capable allows hunt day prominent species harmless humans males emerging early fly trees feed species known feed species received rating measured lethal capacity venom insect venom size receiving dose lethal dose geographical distribution western killers found higher altitude species species average found higher altitudes study showed mean elevation compared lower results species found central_america new_mexico california state west rocky_mountains wyoming kansas oklahoma nebraska commonly found zones observed places mexico baja baja california sur nicaragua costa_rica honduras interaction humans frequently interact humans tendency nests gardens pest control nest areas little vegetation usually ignore people females aggressive tending save venom prey sting grabbed stepped despite large size largest wasp inhabit california sting reported merely sharp moderate males smaller naturally aggressive tolerant disturbance
Sphecius grandis