This colorful, hairy wasp is approximately an inch or 25 mm in length. The antennae, head, thorax , first two abdominal segments and legs are black. The remainder of the abdomen is red with a wide, bright yellow discontinuous band on the third abdominal segment. The distal section of the blue-black wings have numerous longitudinal wrinkles. The abdomen of the male is sharply constricted at the base. The female’s abdomen is evenly tapered.
These wasps can be seen nectaring on flowers in late summer. They have been seen in Fontenelle Forest from mid- August to mid-September. Apparently, they are often found in numbers hovering over lawns infested with grubs of green June beetle larvae.
They are known as Digger Wasps because the female digs into the soil in search of scarab beetle grubs. She stings and paralyzes the grub, then lays an egg on it. After hatching, the larva feeds on the scarab host. They are considered beneficial insects.
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