Other Common Names
Sand Wasps (also applies to Bicyrtes wasps, which are closely related)
Synonyms and other taxonomic changes
genus often misspelled "Bembex" and occasionally "Bembyx" (based on the number of instances found on Internet)
Numbers
19 species in North America (
nearctica.com)
Identification
abdomen black with broad white or yellowish curving bands that often meet at the dorsal midline
Habitat
usually sandy areas; nest holes are dug in the sand; best opportunity to observe individuals is on dunes or where vegetation is sparse
Food
females provision their nest with flies which the larvae feed on (a single developing larva may eat more than twenty flies)
Remarks
Provisioning is progressive. The females provide a greater number of prey over subsequent days during larval growth. (see
provisioning article)
Adults are very good diggers in sand. In an area with loose sand, they can disappear below the surface within seconds.
See Also
Bicyrtes wasps generally have abdominal bands that are straighter and don't quite meet at the dorsal midline
Internet References
Canadian distribution of subspecies of
B. americana (Albert Finnamore, Aculeate Wasps, naturewatch.ca)
live adult image of
B. americana (Albert Finnamore, Aculeate Wasps, naturewatch.ca)
live adult image of
B. americana (Steve Nanz, New York)
pinned adult image of
B. amoena (Insects of Cedar Creek, Minnesota)
nesting behavior and provisioning in Bembix species (Asis, Tormos, and Gayubo; Journal of Natural History, 2004)
list of world species; PDF doc plus synonyms, type localities, references (California Academy of Sciences)
