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Sand Wasp

Bembix

Published on Project Noah
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-34.0912, 18.8819

Field Notes

Description:

This sand wasp from the genus Bembix in the Sphecidae family (Mud Daupers and Sand Wasps) was photographed on lavender plants alongside honey bees which made the wasp stick out almost immidiatly. At around 2cm this wasp was coloured as many of its species with a striking yellow and black barred abdomen. The female digs tunnel like homes in sandy soil where they line cells with prey items that in most cases are members of the flies. Their burrows are sometimes opened and closed by cuckoo wasps that lay their own egg in the chamber that hatches and feeds off the sand wasp larva.

Habitat:

Sandy expanses such as beaches or flats

Species ID Suggestions

Comments (9)
Roy Arun
Amazing shot and congratulations for SOTD. :)
Liana
Congratulations Michael! Wonderful shots. Thank you for sharing :)
Michael Strydom
Wow, what a great surprise as I head off to work this morning!! Thank you Project Noah for making my day. It is a great pleasure to share. Thank you Antonio as always for your kind words and support :)
AntónioGinjaGinja
Great find Michael,congrats on the well deserved SOTD and thanks for sharing
DanielePralong
Congratulations Michael, your Sand Wasp is our Spotting of the Day! "You're looking at the face of a little digger! This Sand Wasp (Bembix sp.) is our Spotting of the Day. Sand wasps (Tribe: Bembicini) build nests in the shape of short tunnels in sandy soil. These burrows end in one or more cells in which the female lays an egg and places a prey item for the developing larva to feed on". Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/projectnoah/photos/a.10150595289465603/10161659449010603/?type=3&theater&ifg=1 Twitter: https://twitter.com/projectnoah/status/1113210113630920704
Michael Strydom
Thank you very much for the nomination. Have a great weekend!!
AshleyT
Your spotting has been nominated for the Spotting of the Week. The winner will be chosen by the Project Noah Rangers based on a combination of factors including: uniqueness of the shot, status of the organism (for example, rare or endangered), quality of the information provided in the habitat and description sections. There is a subjective element, of course; the spotting with the highest number of Ranger votes is chosen. Congratulations on being nominated!

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2019 Best Wildlife Photo - Species Interactions Special!
Photographed
PublishedMarch 26, 2019

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