White-waisted Digger Wasp - Sphex sp.

FAMILY SPHECIDAE

This page contains pictures and information about White-waisted Digger Wasps that we found in the Brisbane area, Queensland, Australia.


Body length 25mm

This wasp is black in colour with white setae (hairs) on its narrow waist. This wasp is quite common in Brisbane bushlands. They are usually found hunting near the ground.



We found this wasp on Dec 2009 in Daisy Hills near Buhot Creek. It was building a nest on the sandy ground with small rocks. The nest was only it body size in deep so it must be a newly build nest. When the wasp was inside, we hear the loud and high pitch buzz noise than the wasp carried a small rock out side the nest. Those rocks were usually half the body size of the wasp.



We we came too closely the wasp flied toward us and make the loud buzzing sound. when we move back a bit, the wasp return to the nest and keep digging.



The Sphex wasp is known to prey on Orthoptera.




Reference:
1. Northern Territory Insects, A Comprehensive Guide CD - Graham Brown, 2009.