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- This page contains pictures and information about subfamily Bembicinae (previously
Nyssoninae)- Sand Wasps
that we found in the Brisbane area, Queensland, Australia.
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- Wasps in this subfamily are medium to large in size, with stout body and
at least with one colour of orange, yellow or brown.
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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.
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- Yellow Sand Wasp, Digger Wasp
  - 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.
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- Panda Sand Wasp
 - 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.
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- Small Bembix Wasp
 - 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.
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- Cicada Killer Wasp ?
 - ? 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.
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- 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.
[ Up ] [ Sphecinae ] [ Larrinae ] [ Bembicinae (previously Nyssoninae) ] [ Philanthinae ] [ Unknown Sphecid Wasps ]
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