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Publications

Wasps and Bees

P. G. Koehler and J. L. Castner

This document provides an overview of various wasps and bees, highlighting their behavior, nesting habits, and potential dangers. It covers species such as bumble bees, cicada killers, honey bees, mud daubers, paper wasps, and yellowjackets. The article emphasizes the aggressive nature of some species, the risks of stings, and the importance of proper nest management to prevent harm. It also includes detailed descriptions and images of each insect, their nests, and their interactions with humans. Date first printed: November 1992.

thumbnail for publication: American Sand Wasp (suggested common name), Bembix americana Fabricius, 1793 (Insecta: Hymenoptera: Crabronidae: Bembicinae)

American Sand Wasp (suggested common name), Bembix americana Fabricius, 1793 (Insecta: Hymenoptera: Crabronidae: Bembicinae)

Marirose P. Kuhlman and Adam G. Dale

This publication describes the identification, biology, and importance of the American sand wasps (Bembix americana Fabricius), which are a subspecies-complex of large, robust wasps in the subfamily Bembicinae. They nest gregariously in bare soil and provision their nests with flies (order Diptera). The females are progressive provisioners, meaning they continue to provide their developing larvae with prey until the larvae pupate. Males participate in a distinctive mating behavior called a “sun dance” in which groups of males fly low over nesting areas waiting for females to emerge so they can be the first to mate with them. Adults feed on flower nectar and can often be found visiting a variety of wildflowers. This species has a broad ecological range and can be found nesting in a variety of soil types and habitats.