These wasps are often black, with yellow or red markings. They have stingers, which are used to attack ground-dwelling larvae of Scarab beetles or Tiger beetles. Tiphiid wasps obtain nectar from flowers. While there are few species that occur in Illinois, some of them, such as Myzinum quinquecincta (Five-Banded Tiphiid Wasp), are common visitors to prairie wildflowers.
 
See: Abbreviations for Insect Activities,   Abbreviations for Scientific Observers,   References for behavioral observations