This is a medium-sized black wasp approximately 3/4 inch or 20 mm in length. The antennae and the head are black. There is a yellow split “collar” behind the head and a pale yellow band about the middle of the thorax. There is a wider pale yellow band in the middle of the first segment of the abdomen. The wings are a bluish-brown color. On the legs, the femur is black and the tibia and tarsus are yellow. The females have 3 yellowish patches between the eyes and the males have two yellowish triangles between the eyes. The distinct “tire-like” constrictions between the abdominal segments are typical for the genus.
This wasp is probably uncommon in Fontenelle Forest. It has been seen nectaring on flowers in August, but its nesting season is from June to late Aug.
This is a solitary wasp in the sub-family, Philanthinae. In some areas they have been observed nesting in clusters of from 10 to 500 nests. The female digs nest burrows in firm soil along the edges of paths and similar locations. It provides paralyzed metallic wood boring (Buprested) beetles for its offspring. It’s very beneficial as it hunts the extremely destructive Emerald Ash Borer, and is even being used by scientists as a biosurveillance tool to survey for the borer.
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