Sand Wasp

Description:

A few photos of a striking wasp from the Bodega Dunes. [This may be Bembix americana comata, but I don't have any experience identifying this group.] Most individuals were black and yellow, but some had white stripes instead of yellow (see below). Note the bright green eyes and dramatic yellow legs These solitary wasps are found in open sand areas. Females dig burrows for raising their young. The female captures and kills a fly, brings it to the burrow, and lays a single egg on the dead fly. After the larva hatches the female continues to provision the young, bringing food to the developing larva.