Great Golden Digger Wasp (Sphex ichneumoneus)

            Sphex ichneumoneus, known commonly as the great golden digger wasp or great golden sand digger is a wasp in the family Sphecidae. It is identified by the golden pubescence on its head and thorax, its reddish orange legs, and partly reddish orange body.  Nests are dug in sandy soils. This species does much that endears them to gardeners: They catch grasshoppers, which commonly eat food and ornamental plants; they aerate the soil and improve water's ability to soak into the ground with their digging; and they pollinate flowers. They are not aggressive.  Wikipedia  They also nectar on a variety of flowers.  Here it is shown visiting a Horsemint or Spotted Bee Balm flower (Horsemint (Spotted bee balm) Monarda punctata).

This beautiful ballerina was dancing from flower to flower in her search for nectar.
The female will dig a tunnel in the sand with several side tunnels.  Each side tunnel is a brood chamber for a single egg.  She will then go out and catch insects, which she paralyzes and brings to the brood chambers.  The larvae will feed on the insects until they pupate and eventually emerge as adult wasps.  The cycle begins anew.

Taken in: United States / Florida / Beachville (show map)

Taken on: September 12, 2021

Groups appears in: • Flickr Nature • Nature Photography more » • Insect Macro Photography • Insect Photography • Florida Close-Up • Nikon - Nature • *Earth *Nature *Life • * Wonderful World of Wildlife * • Insects, Spiders, Frogs, Snails and Slugs • PLANET ANIMAL (animal planet) • BEAUTY PHOTOS AROUND THE WORLD • PHOTOS FOR CURE, MEDITATION AND DISCOVER THE GIFTS WE HAVE AND D • all the little details « less

Camera: Nikon D810, f/4.0, 1/1600 sec, 105mm, ISO 250 (more info) (hide info)

Camera:	Nikon D810
Aperture:	f/4.0
Exposure Time:	0.001 sec (1/1600)
Focal Length:	105mm
ISO:	250
Exposure Bias:	-1/3 EV
Flash:	Off, Did not fire
Exposure Program:	Program AE
Exposure Mode:	Auto
Metering Mode:	Multi-segment
White Balance:	Auto
Sharpness:	Hard
Color Space:	Uncalibrated
Software:	Adobe Photoshop CS4 Windows
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