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Subfamily Bembicinae (previously Nyssoninae) - Sand Wasps 

This page contains pictures and information about subfamily Bembicinae (previously Nyssoninae)- Sand Wasps that we found in the Brisbane area, Queensland, Australia.
 
Wasps in this subfamily are medium to large in size, with stout body and at least with one colour of orange, yellow or brown.
  

Bembicini

Bembix is the only genus in Bembicini. Bembix wasps are quite common in Brisbane bushlands. In mid summer on sandy footpaths, we might see them flying rapidly near the ground, defending their territory and digging burrows. They provision their nest with flies
 
Yellow Sand Wasp, Digger Wasp
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Bembix sp., Bembicini,  body length 15mm
We saw this Digger wasp flying and hovering on a sandy foot path. Digger Wasps are also known as Sand wasps. Female Digger Wasp constructs burrow under the ground, drags their paralyzed prey in and lay an egg in the burrow. Adult Digger Wasp feed on nectar. More information and pictures can be found in this page.
 
 
Panda Sand Wasp
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Bembix sp., Bembicini, body length 20mm  
When we first found this wasp, we thought it as the Colletid Bee which also burrow nest in ground. On summer 2007, we found that they feed their young with flies (Diptera), so definitely they are not bees (all bees feed their young with pollen). Then we check that they could be Sand wasp. Only Sand Wasp genus Bembix feed their young with flies. We had then observed this wasp for quite a while and have a lot of information and pictures. Details please check this page
 
 
Small Bembix Wasp
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Bembix sp., Bembicini, body length 12mm  
This is the smallest Bembix Sand Wasp that we found. The wasp is black and white in colours, its abdomen is black and white striped. Its face and front legs are pale yellow. We found a few of those wasp nests on the footpath in the Reserved Area near Tingalpa Reservoir. Please check this page form more pictures and information. 
 
 

 
Cicada Killer Wasp ?
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? Exeirus lateritius, Gorytini, body length 25mm 
A wasp was checking a cavity and seemed found something. We came closely and took the above pictures, then it flied away. We checked the cavity and did not find anything interesting. It might just collecting the soil. Notice the long and strong legs of this wasp.
Reference:
1. Exeirus lateritius Shuckard - Australian Insect Common Names, CSIRO 2005.  
2. Insects of Australia, CSIRO, Division of Entomology, Melbourne University Press, 2nd Edition 1991, p991, plate5Q.
 
 

Reference:
1. Insects of Australia, CSIRO, Division of Entomology, Melbourne University Press, 2nd Edition 1991, pp 989.
2. Insects of Australia and New Zealand - R. J. Tillyard, Angus & Robertson, Ltd, Sydney, 1926, p299. 
3. Bembix Fabricius, 1775 - Australian Biological Resources Study, Department of the Environment, Water, Heritage and the Arts. 
4. Northern Territory Insects, A Comprehensive Guide CD - Graham Brown, 2009. 

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Last updated: December 30, 2009.