Thread-Waisted Wasp

Description:

Ammophila’s general shape and color pattern is easy to recognize. The wasp is large, nearly two inches long, and very slender. The abdomen is attached to the thorax by a long thin stalk, and the tip is a slender bulb. The stalk part of the abdomen is black, changing into reddish-orange as it thickens, and back to black at the tip. When the wasp is at rest, she holds her wings one over the other across her back leaving the bulbous part of her abdomen exposed. Her head and thorax are velvety black, and bold silver swashes adorn the sides of the thorax.

Habitat:

Varied. Often seen on flowers. Widespread in North America