Sand Wasp

Description:

This wasp is approximately 5/8 inch or 17 mm in length. The antennae and eyes are black. The thorax is black with light yellow markings on the sides. The abdomen is black with 4 to 5 discontinuous light yellow bands, decreasing in size towards the tip. The wings are a smoky color. The legs are yellow. The squared hind quarters of the thorax separates this genus from a similar genus of sand wasps, Bembix.

Habitat:

This is a solitary Sand Wasp in the subfamily, Bembicinae. It hunts nymphs of stink bugs and leaf-footed bugs and, occasionally, assassin bugs. It digs tunnels in sandy soil and stores bugs in a chamber for the offspring. The nest is provisioned with several bug nymphs. The female lays an egg on one of the nymphs and then closes the nest with sand.