Explanation of Names
Greek ammos 'sand' + philia 'love'
Size
11-38 mm (most species 20-25 mm)
Identification
Medium-sized black wasps with a relatively long petiole ("thread-waisted"), and usually with orange on the abdomen.
Podalonia are similar, but typically have the bulbous part of the abdomen bent
upward and lying
above the distal end of the petiole; whereas in
Ammophila the abdomen is typically
straight or bent
downward at the distal end of the petiole. For illustrations, see
figures A and C here in Bohart & Menke
(3); and the posts below:
Generally, males have weaker reddish markings than females, are more slender, and lack a tarsal rake on the front legs.
Identification to species difficult.
Range
Holarctic; widespread in NA
Habitat
Meadows with flowers, bare soil or leaf litter for nest cavities.
Season
Summer into early fall. In NC, Apr-Nov (depending on species), typically May-Oct
(4); in MI, Jun-Oct, typically Jul-Aug
(5)Food
Adults visit flowers. Larva feed on caterpillars and sawflies provisioned by the adult female.
Life Cycle
Parasitoids on caterplillars and sawflies. A burrow is dug by the female and an egg is laid in the paralyzed host in the burrow. May be several generations per year.
