This all black wasp is approximately 3/4 inch in length. The shiny black abdomen is positioned on a long, thin petiole. The head and thorax are covered with golden hairs. The wings are brown. The antennae, eyes and legs are black. At rest, the wings are held out at a dihedral angle.
This unncommon wasp can be seen nectaring on flowers (particularly Virginia Mountain Mint) in mid-summer.
This wasp is referred to as a Grass Carrier Wasp, because the female lines the nest cavity with grass blades and stems. She uses hollow stems or other cavities for nest sites which she provisions with paralyzed tree-crickets as food for the young wasp larva. The nest entrance is typically plugged with grass, which may extend out of the opening up to 2 inches. Cocoons and grass nesting material are sometimes found in storm window tracks.
The content of NatureSearch is provided by dedicated volunteer Naturalists of Fontenelle Forest who strive to provide the most accurate information available. Contributors of the images retain their copyrights. The point of contact for this page is: Loren Padelford.