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Australian Wildlife

  Sand Wasp (Bembix sp)





Sand Wasp | Bembix sp photo
Sand Wasp, Swifts Creek, Victoria

Image by Fir0002/Flagstaffotos - GNU Free Documentation License.    (view image details)







SAND WASP FACTS

Identification
Sand Wasps are solitary hunting wasps that nest in loose sand. They are not aggressive wasps and will not attempt to sting if you approach them. They hunt for insects (some species hunt only certain species of flies) which they paralyse with their sting and drag down sand burrows to feed the larvae.

Food
Adult Sand wasps feed on nectar. The wasps hunt for flies and other insects to feed their larvae.

Breeding
Sand flies dig burrows in sand where they lay their eggs. The adults stock the burrow with paralyzed insects and cover up the burrow. When the larvae hatch they feed on the insects in the burrow. The wasps often nest in colonies in loose sand in a sunny position.



Classification
Class:Insecta
Order:Hymenoptera
Family:Crabronidae
Genus:Bembix
Species:sp
Common Name:Sand Wasp