- Sand wasps: profile
- Look
- way of life
- Can sand wasps sting?
- Sand wasp (Ammophila sabulosa)
- frequently asked Questions
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wasps; bees; hornets. These insects are known to many people. But have you ever heard of sand wasps? We will introduce you to the animals in a profile and tell you whether they bite us.
In a nutshell
- 187 species worldwide
- build nesting holes in the sand
- stun prey with stings
- attack only when threatened
Sand wasps: profile
There are 187 known species of sand wasp worldwide. In Germany, however, only 3 of them are native. All important information about sand wasps is summarized in our profile:
- Scientific name: Ammophila
- Order Hymenoptera
- Family: Sphecidae
- Genus: Digger wasps (Spheciformes)
- Distribution: warm regions of Asia; Europe, especially the Mediterranean area
- Habitat: sunny, sandy; partly sparsely vegetated areas; also mining sites such as sand or gravel pits
- Size: up to 25mm
- Species: 15 species throughout Europe, such as sand wasps (Ammophila campestris); southern sand wasp (Ammophila heydeni) or common sand wasp (Ammophila sabulosa)
- Flight time: May to October
- Food: Larvae: stunned insects and caterpillars; adult animals: pollen; Nectar; Aphid honeydew
- Threatened: no
Look
Sand wasps hardly resemble real wasps in appearance.
Sand wasps are also comparatively large and slender. All species also have the following characteristics in common:
- stalk-shaped abdomen with 2 abdominal segments
- connected to the body via stalks
- thickens backwards
- small, white, silvery felt spots on body
- long, powerful mouthparts with 1 to 3 teeth
- Males: additionally with short silvery hairs on the forehead
- Females: stiff crest of bristles at the foot of the front legs
Notice: Although the females have an extra bristle comb to collect sand, the sand is loosened with the mouthparts.
way of life
Sand wasps live as solitary animals. Rarely do they form associations, even then these do not include more than 10 animals. The females dig burrows for their larvae into soft undergrounds. Mostly they choose a sandy surface, rarely earth or wood. After the passages have been dug, a fixed procedure follows:
- Closure of the corridors with sand/small stones
- Prey hunting, preferably on caterpillars
- Paralyzing the prey with stings
- Transport of the prey to the chamber at the end of the brood tube
- 1 egg each under/next to the prey
- Close the tube tightly
- Females maintain several burrows at different stages
The larvae finally hatch a few days after the foray and eat the caterpillar. They then pupate in the cave. The adult sand wasps then hatch in the spring. In doing so, they dig out of the corridor and from then on feed on flowers.
A female prepares the brood tube.
Notice: It is also observed that some sand wasps already stunned animals from the nestsrn their conspecifics steal or replace their eggs with their own.
Can sand wasps sting?
Yes. As already mentioned, the stinger primarily serves to stun prey. Sand wasps are actually harmless to humans. They only bite when they feel harassed or threatened. You should therefore never disturb the wasps when digging their burrows.
Sand wasp (Ammophila sabulosa)
The sand wasp is one of the most common species in Europe. It can be recognized by the following characteristics:
- 18 - 23 mm body length
- front part of abdomen red
- hind part of abdomen black with blue metallic sheen
- Males: dark stripes on upper side of abdomen
- Larvae hatch in June; partly second generation in late summer
Incidentally, this wasp species can be found looking for food on willowherbs; white sweet clover or thyme.
This species can be recognized quickly by its partly red-colored abdomen.
frequently asked Questions
Why do sand wasps only paralyze their prey and not kill it?Sand wasps stun prey to keep it from spoiling in the heat. Since it sometimes takes a few days for the larvae to hatch, a dead carcass could otherwise go bad by then.
What should I do if a sand wasp has stung me?The sting of sand wasps is basically no more dangerous than other wasp stings. First examine the puncture site carefully and then cool it well. If you notice any unusual or allergic reactions, you should urgently consult a doctor.
Are sand wasps harmful?No, on the contrary. Since they also eat the larvae of harmful butterfly species and the honeydew of aphids, they are even more beneficial.