# American Sand Wasp (*Bembix americana*) The American Sand Wasp is a small, friendly insect that loves to dig in the sand. It makes little holes in the ground where it lays its eggs. These wasps are busy and help keep nature balanced! - **Category:** [Insects](https://www.snappit.app/explore/categories/insect) - **Rarity:** Common - **Danger:** 2/5 · Low - **Snaps:** 1 - **Habitat:** Sandy areas ![American Sand Wasp](https://commons.wikimedia.org/w/index.php?title=Special:Redirect/file/Bembix_americana_%2835702541273%29.jpg&width=800) Photo: Melissa McMasters from Memphis, TN, United States, CC BY 2.0 · [Wikimedia Commons](https://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:Bembix_americana_%2835702541273%29.jpg) ## Appearance The American Sand Wasp has a robust body, primarily black with bright yellow bands on its abdomen. It features a large head with prominent green eyes and strong mandibles. Its wings are clear and slightly smoky, setting it apart from more slender, solid-colored wasps. ## Taxonomy - **Kingdom:** Animalia - **Phylum:** Arthropoda - **Class:** Insecta - **Order:** Hymenoptera - **Family:** Crabronidae - **Genus:** Bembix ## Interesting facts - Mom wasps fill underground nurseries with paralyzed flies for their babies! - Some female wasps will steal food from other sand wasps' burrows! - Their rapid, erratic flight makes them incredibly difficult to catch in mid-air. - They often "dance" over their nest entrance, remembering its location perfectly. ## Special abilities - **Paralyzing Sting:** American Sand Wasp has a venomous sting that helps them paralyze prey, ensuring fresh food for their young in the burrow. - **Aerial Hunter:** American Sand Wasp can perform fast, agile flights because of its strong wing muscles, allowing it to quickly catch other flying insects. ## Measurements & details - **Wingspan:** 25-35 mm - **Size:** 15-20 mm - **Lifespan:** 20-45 days - **Flight Speed:** 20 km/h - **Leg Count:** 6 ## Diet & Feeding Adults drink nectar, while larvae feast on flies paralyzed by their mother. - **Age differences:** Adults feed on flower nectar, while larvae are carnivorous, consuming flies provisioned by the mother. - **Primary Foods:** nectar, house flies, flesh flies, other small flies - **Foraging Method:** Pursuit ## Ecological connections - **Hunts:** House Fly (*Musca domestica*) — Paralyzes and provisions for its larvae. - **Hunts:** Flesh Fly (*Sarcophaga carnaria*) — Captures for its developing young in underground burrows. - **Eaten by:** [Garden Spider](https://www.snappit.app/explore/garden-spider) (*Argiope aurantia*) — Can be caught in large orb webs while flying. - **Pollinates:** [Canada Goldenrod](https://www.snappit.app/explore/canada-goldenrod) (*Solidago canadensis*) — Adults visit flowers for nectar, aiding pollen transfer. ## Traits - [Solitary](https://www.snappit.app/explore/traits/solitary): Solitary animals live alone for most of their lives, only interacting with others for mating or parental care. - [Insectivorous](https://www.snappit.app/explore/traits/insectivorous): This trait identifies organisms whose diet primarily consists of insects and other small invertebrates. - [Carnivorous](https://www.snappit.app/explore/traits/carnivorous): This trait identifies organisms whose diet consists entirely or primarily of animal tissue. - [Diurnal](https://www.snappit.app/explore/traits/diurnal): Diurnal animals are primarily active during daylight hours, typically resting or sleeping at night. - [Miniature](https://www.snappit.app/explore/traits/miniature): Pertaining to species that are significantly smaller than typical or average for their kind. - [Pollinator](https://www.snappit.app/explore/traits/pollinator): Describes organisms that transfer pollen, enabling the fertilization and reproduction of plants. ## Collections - [Insects](https://www.snappit.app/explore/collections/insects) ## Safety **Danger:** 2/5 · Low Don't bother wasps if you see them digging; they are usually not harmful. ## Frequently Asked Questions ### How to identify American Sand Wasp? Compare the antennae, wings, waist, body hair and legs. Yellow and black stripes show up on bees, wasps and harmless mimics alike. Bee & Wasp Identifier: upload a photo and compare the visible details. ### What is American Sand Wasp's wingspan? 25-35 mm ### How big is American Sand Wasp? 15-20 mm ### How long does American Sand Wasp live? 20-45 days ### How fast can American Sand Wasp fly? 20 km/h ### What does American Sand Wasp eat? Adults drink nectar, while larvae feast on flies paralyzed by their mother. ### Where is American Sand Wasp usually found? Sandy areas ### How does American Sand Wasp hunt? Pursuit ## Where to spot - [High Trestle Trail](https://www.snappit.app/guides/places/high-trestle-trail) — Iowa, US · Trail - [Gas Works Park](https://www.snappit.app/guides/places/gas-works-park) — Washington, US · Park - [Iona Beach Regional Park](https://www.snappit.app/guides/places/iona-beach-regional-park) — British Columbia, CA · Park - [Bamberton Provincial Park](https://www.snappit.app/guides/places/bamberton-provincial-park) — British Columbia, CA · State Park - [Myrtle Edwards Park](https://www.snappit.app/guides/places/myrtle-edwards-park) — Washington, US · Park - [Rathtrevor Beach Provincial Park](https://www.snappit.app/guides/places/rathtrevor-beach-provincial-park) — British Columbia, CA · State Park [View all places to see American Sand Wasp](https://www.snappit.app/guides/where-to-see/american-sand-wasp) ## More Insects - [Common Eastern Bumble Bee](https://www.snappit.app/explore/common-eastern-bumble-bee) (*Bombus impatiens*) - [Spotted Lanternfly](https://www.snappit.app/explore/spotted-lanternfly) (*Lycorma delicatula*) - [Brown-belted Bumble Bee](https://www.snappit.app/explore/brown-belted-bumble-bee) (*Bombus griseocollis*) - [Eastern Carpenter Bee](https://www.snappit.app/explore/eastern-carpenter-bee) (*Xylocopa virginica*) --- Source: [American Sand Wasp: Facts & Places to See — Snappit](https://www.snappit.app/explore/american-sand-wasp)