Bembix sand wasps

Description:

These ground wasp have large greenish eyes and a bluish-white and black striped abdomen.

Habitat:

Spotted along the North Fork Wenas creek in eastern Washington. Cascade foothills.

Notes:

They are fast diggers in the sand, where they rear their young and flies are their preferred prey. They paralyze or kill the prey with their sting then stuff the prey in their solitary burrow for their young. Adults feed on flower nectar.