Heteropogon vespoides was described in 1878 by Bigot from a single male specimen. The rather indefinite type-locality was given merely as California, as was often the practice in those days. The description was written in French, Bigot's native language. However, an excellent translation was made by Back (Trans. Amer. Ent. Soc. 35:329, 1909) who appended thereto a note to the effect that he did not believe that this species was known to recent collectors.