Sphex pensylvanicus

Sphex pensylvanicus
Scientific classification
Domain: Eukaryota
Kingdom: Animalia
Phylum: Arthropoda
Class: Insecta
Order: Hymenoptera
Family: Sphecidae
Genus: Sphex
Species:
S. pensylvanicus
Binomial name
Sphex pensylvanicus
Synonyms
  • Sphex pensylvanica Linnaeus, 1763 (inaccurate gender)
  • Ammobia pensylvanica (Linnaeus, 1763)
  • Chlorion pensylvanicum (Linnaeus, 1763)

Sphex pensylvanicus, the great black wasp, is a species of digger wasp. It lives across most of North America and grows to a size of 20–35 mm (0.8–1.4 in). The larvae feed on living insects that the females paralyze and carry to the underground nest.