This wasp is approximately 5/8 inch or 17 mm in length. The antennae and eyes are black. The thorax is black with light yellow markings on the sides. The abdomen is black with 4 to 5 discontinuous light yellow bands, decreasing in size towards the tip. The wings are a smoky color. The legs are yellow. The squared hind quarters of the thorax separates this genus from a similar genus of sand wasps, Bembix.
This wasp is probably common in this area. It has been photographed in Fontenelle Forest and on the prairie at Neale Woods in July. It should be present through late summer and early fall. It is usually seen nectaring on flowers such as Virginia Mountain Mint in the garden at the Wetlands Center.
This is a solitary Sand Wasp in the subfamily, Bembicinae. It hunts nymphs of stink bugs and leaf-footed bugs and, occasionally, assassin bugs. It digs tunnels in sandy soil and stores bugs in a chamber for the offspring. The nest is provisioned with several bug nymphs. The female lays an egg on one of the nymphs and then closes the nest with sand.
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