Definition

Noun: - A family of wasps: Family Sphecidae refers to a taxonomic family of wasps, commonly known as thread-waisted wasps. Members of this family are typically solitary predators. The definition specifically includes mud daubers, which construct nests from mud, and various digger wasps, which often nest in the ground.

Usage and Examples

• Noun:
  • The family Sphecidae is diverse, containing many species of solitary wasps.
  • A biologist studied the nesting behavior of a wasp in the family Sphecidae.
  • Mud daubers, belonging to the family Sphecidae, are common around buildings.

Advanced Usage

• In scientific classification: The term is used in formal biological taxonomy to categorize a specific group of hymenopteran insects.
  • The specimen was keyed out and placed in the family Sphecidae.

Variants and Related Words

• Sphecid (noun/adjective): A member of the family Sphecidae; pertaining to this family.
  • Sphecid wasps are efficient hunters.

Synonyms

• Thread-waisted wasps (common name)
• Digger wasps (common name for many species within the family)
• Mud daubers (common name for certain genera within the family)

Related Terms (Not Synonyms)

• Hymenoptera: The insect order to which this family belongs.
• Solitary wasps: A descriptive term for their non-social behavior, characteristic of this family.
• Nest provisioning: A key behavior, where females capture and paralyze prey (like spiders or insects) to store in nests as food for their larvae.

Noun

1. mud daubers; some digger wasps