This is a mason wasp, approximately 3/4 inch in length. It has yellow bands on the abdomen, yellow spots on the side of the thorax and abdomen and partially yellow legs. It has a discontinuous yellow collar on the front of the thorax. Wings are dark brown. This wasp was identified by Dr. Matthias Buck on BugGuide. It is a member of the Stenodynerus propinquus group and can only be identified to species by looking at the antennae of the male wasp. The individual shown in photos A, B and C is a female.
This is considered to be an uncommon wasp in our area although not much is known about its distribution in the western part of its range. The frequency of occurrence in Fontenelle Forest and Neale Woods is unknown. This individual was photographed in Fontenelle Forest in late July.
This wasp nests in both sandy and hard-packed soils. Its prey, used for provisioning its nest, consists of case-bearing leaf beetle larvae (Chlamisinae) and several species of leaf-rolling or case-bearing caterpillars. It takes nectar from flowers.
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