# Red-belted Sand Wasp (*Ammophila sabulosa*) The Red-belted Sand Wasp is a busy little insect that loves to dig in the sand. It builds nests for its babies and helps keep the environment healthy by pollinating flowers. - **Category:** [Insects](https://www.snappit.app/explore/categories/insect) - **Rarity:** Common - **Danger:** 2/5 · Low - **Habitat:** Sandy areas ![Red-belted Sand Wasp](https://commons.wikimedia.org/w/index.php?title=Special:Redirect/file/Sand_Wasp_Ammophila_sabulosa_on_Hemp_Agrimony_Eupatorium_cannabinum.JPG&width=800) Photo: Chiswick Chap, CC BY-SA 3.0 · [Wikimedia Commons](https://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:Sand_Wasp_Ammophila_sabulosa_on_Hemp_Agrimony_Eupatorium_cannabinum.JPG) ## Appearance The Red-belted Sand Wasp has a long, slender black body with a striking red-orange band across its abdomen. Its waist is very thin and thread-like, giving it a distinctive elegant appearance. Its clear wings are slightly smoky brown. ## Taxonomy - **Kingdom:** Animalia - **Phylum:** Arthropoda - **Class:** Insecta - **Order:** Hymenoptera - **Family:** Sphecidae - **Genus:** Ammophila ## Interesting facts - It can build a new underground nursery for each single larva it lays! - Some female wasps 'trick' other wasps by pretending to steal their prey! - The Red-belted Sand Wasp will fly in a spiral pattern to map its nest location! - This wasp meticulously smooths sand over its nest opening to hide it! ## Special abilities - **Master Digger:** Red-belted Sand Wasp can dig intricate burrows in sandy soil with its strong legs to create safe nests for its young. - **Paralysis Power:** Red-belted Sand Wasp has a powerful sting that paralyzes prey like caterpillars, ensuring fresh food for its developing larvae. - **Home Navigator:** Red-belted Sand Wasp can remember the exact location of its hidden nest, even after long hunting flights, using visual cues. - **Strong Flyer:** Red-belted Sand Wasp can lift and fly with paralyzed prey much heavier than itself, transporting it back to its burrow. ## Measurements & details - **Wingspan:** 15-35 mm - **Size:** 10-23 mm - **Lifespan:** 20-40 days - **Flight Speed:** 25 km/h - **Leg Count:** 6 ## Diet & Feeding Adults drink nectar for energy, but their young feast on paralyzed caterpillars stored in burrows. - **Age differences:** Adults primarily consume nectar, while larvae are fed paralyzed caterpillars by the mother. - **Primary Foods:** nectar, butterfly caterpillars, moth caterpillars - **Foraging Method:** Pursuit ## Ecological connections - **Hunts:** [Large Yellow Underwing](https://www.snappit.app/explore/large-yellow-underwing) (*Noctua pronuba*) — Larvae are paralyzed and stored as food for wasp young. - **Hunts:** [Small Tortoiseshell](https://www.snappit.app/explore/small-tortoiseshell) (*Aglais urticae*) — Female wasps hunt their caterpillars for their developing young. - **Eaten by:** [European Bee-eater](https://www.snappit.app/explore/european-bee-eater) (*Merops apiaster*) — Often preyed upon by bee-eaters that snatch them mid-air. - **Pollinates:** Wild Carrot (*Daucus carota*) — Visits flowers like wild carrot for nectar, aiding pollination. ## 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. - [Burrowing](https://www.snappit.app/explore/traits/burrowing): Burrowing animals dig tunnels and chambers in the ground, using these subterranean structures for shelter, hunting, or breeding. - [Colorful](https://www.snappit.app/explore/traits/colorful): Colorful describes organisms or objects displaying a wide range of bright and distinct colors. - [Insectivorous](https://www.snappit.app/explore/traits/insectivorous): This trait identifies organisms whose diet primarily consists of insects and other small invertebrates. - [Diurnal](https://www.snappit.app/explore/traits/diurnal): Diurnal animals are primarily active during daylight hours, typically resting or sleeping at night. - [Keystone Species](https://www.snappit.app/explore/traits/keystone-species): Describes a species whose presence and role have a disproportionately large effect on its environment. - [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 If you see a wasp, watch it from a distance and don't bother it. ## Frequently Asked Questions ### How to identify Red-belted 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 Red-belted Sand Wasp's wingspan? 15-35 mm ### How big is Red-belted Sand Wasp? 10-23 mm ### How long does Red-belted Sand Wasp live? 20-40 days ### How fast can Red-belted Sand Wasp fly? 25 km/h ### What does Red-belted Sand Wasp eat? Adults drink nectar for energy, but their young feast on paralyzed caterpillars stored in burrows. ### Where is Red-belted Sand Wasp usually found? Sandy areas ### How does Red-belted Sand Wasp hunt? Pursuit ## 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: [Red-belted Sand Wasp: Facts & Places to See — Snappit](https://www.snappit.app/explore/red-belted-sand-wasp)