Solitary Wasps

• Thread-waisted wasps and digger wasps are commonly seen in summer.
• Most solitary wasp nests are found in the ground. However, some solitary wasps nest in cavities or build nests made of mud.
• While there may be many solitary wasp nests in a small area, each wasp has its own nest. If you look closely, you will notice that solitary wasps rarely interact with each other, while hive-dwelling wasps will touch antennae, communicate, and interact with other wasps.

Thread-waisted wasps:

• Long, skinny “petiole” followed by a long, skinny abdomen
• About 1” in length
• Coloring varies by species, but typically a black body with bands or areas of red, yellow, and/or white on the body and legs; or iridescent black or purple.
• Smooth, shiny bodies

Digger wasps:

• Usually black and yellow with striped abdomens
• Can be mistaken for yellow jackets
• Vary in size from less than ¾” to 1” in length
• Abdomen attached to thorax by a very short petiole

• Despite their menacing appearance, solitary wasps are generally not aggressive toward people and there is little risk of being stung.
• Males do not have stingers, but they might fly toward your face to frighten you away from their nests.
• Solitary wasps do not defend their nests and will avoid people whenever possible.
• However, female solitary wasps can sting to protect themselves if they are threatened or physically handled.

• Adult solitary wasps feed on nectar.
• Many species of solitary wasp hunt invertebrates – like spiders, flies, and other insects – that they bring back to the nest for their larvae to feed on.
• Each species of solitary wasps specializes in hunting a particular prey.

• Ground nesting wasps prefer to dig in areas of dry soil. If their nest building is a problem, run a sprinkler where they are trying to nest. You may have to repeat watering until they find another location.
• Nest-building solitary wasps require soil and water to make mud, and a protected surface on which to build.
• There also needs to be a food source nearby.

• Like all wasps, solitary wasps have complete metamorphosis: egg, larva, pupa, and adult.
• A female solitary wasp mates and prepares a nest containing or more cells.
• She lays an egg in each cell and provides an insect or spider that has been stung and paralyzed.
• The wasp eggs hatch and the larvae consume the supplied prey.
• After pupation, the new adults emerge.
• The males die and the females go on to restart the cycle.
• Most solitary wasps overwinter as larvae or pupae.