Red-Banded Sand Wasp – 9/9/13

Observer: Paul Lauenstein

Observation Date: 9/9/13

Observation Time: 2:35 p.m.

Observation Location: Gavins Pond area

Common Name: Red-banded Sand Wasp

Scientific Name: Ammophila sabulosa

Comments: The female red-banded sand wasp first excavates a nest for her larva. After that she hunts a caterpillar, often a moth caterpillar. She then paralyses the caterpillar, but the caterpillar remains alive. Then she carries the caterpillar to the nest. She deposits an egg on the caterpillar. The larva of the wasp develops rapidly. It reaches full size after just 10 days. (Source: Jiri Zahradnik “Bees and Wasps”)

More Information: Wasps