Family: Sphecidae, Sphecid Wasps view all from this family

Description 1-1 1/8" (25-30 mm). Slender. Cylindrical 1-segmented "waist" (pedicel) between thorax and abdomen. Black with large yellow area on prothorax; yellow markings on thorax, pedicel, and 1st abdominal segment. Legs mostly yellow. Wings brown to black.

Warning Can deliver a painful sting but is not aggressive.

Food Adult drinks nectar. Larva feeds on spiders.

Life Cycle Using its mandibles, female shapes small masses of moist mud into balls and makes joined tubular cells. Into each cell female stuffs 1 paralyzed spider, immobilized by venom, then lays 1 egg on spider and closes cell with mud. Additional cells are built parallel to the 1st. Larvae grow to 3/8-1/2" (10-14 mm) long, then spin semi-transparent reddish-brown cocoons in the cells.

Habitat Meadows, cliffs, and settled areas, where nests are found under rocks, overhanging cliffs, or overhanging roofs of buildings.

Range Throughout North America.

Discussion Males are rarely seen before midsummer and often visit flowers for nectar in late summer and autumn.