26 July 2010

Digger Wasp

This is the Red Banded Sand Wasp Ammophila sabulosa. The female digs a hole/nest and stocks it with insects paralysed by her sting. She then lays eggs into this larder and the grubs rely on the stored food until they pupate.and here she is digging away....

2 comments:

Barry Stewart said...

In Wales this is a very rare species away from the coast, so a very good record. Check out distribution map at http://data.nbn.org.uk/interactive/map.jsp?srchSp=NHMSYS0000875039

Mark Hipkin said...

Oh yeah. It's a fascinating insect, so the fact that is a good record is a double bonus. That's a great link Barry, thanks. Straight to favourites!