Philanthinae

Taxobox
name = Philanthinae

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image_width = 200px
image_caption = "Cerceris"
regnum = Animalia
phylum = Arthropoda
classis = Insecta
ordo = Hymenoptera
familia = Crabronidae
subfamilia = Philanthinae
subdivision_ranks = Tribes and Genera
subdivision = Aphilanthopini:
* "Aphilanthops"
* "Clypeadon"
* "Philanthinus"Cercerini:
* "Cerceris"
* "Eucerceris"Odontosphecini:
* "Odontosphex"Philanthini:
* "Philanthus"
* "Trachypus"Pseudoscoliini:
* "Pseudoscolia"

The subfamilly Philanthinae is one of the largest groups in the wasp family Crabronidae, even though it contains only 9 genera. Historically, this subfamily has frequently been accorded family status. The subfamily consists of solitary, predatory wasps, each genus having its own distinct and consistent prey preferences. The adult females dig tunnels in the ground for nesting.

As with all other sphecoid wasps, the larvae are carnivorous; females hunt for prey on which to lays their eggs, mass provisioning the nest cells with paralyzed, living prey that the larva feeds upon after it hatches from the egg.