CLOSED: We call this a digger bee, but no pic in bug files to verify

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Illoquin Indianapolis, IN(Zone 5b) Jun 30, 2007

Hi kids,

We have had this kind of "bee" for years and years in our front yard, but they became a problem when we re routed our front walk. Now visitors are accosted by the "nest sentry" and it scares them.

We call them digger bees because they make their nests from sand, and are loosening the stones that serve as my front walk. I don't know if other people call them digger bees, and if they do, there are 3 entries in bug files, none with photos.

I don't think it will sting, even when provoked, but will buzz you. Not sure what would happen if you went for the nest, tho. The big ones are nearly 2" long, but this one is a lot smaller.

Thanks,
Suzy

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Illoquin Indianapolis, IN(Zone 5b) Jun 30, 2007

Here is another photo.

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Illoquin Indianapolis, IN(Zone 5b) Jun 30, 2007

And a third

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claypa West Pottsgrove, PA(Zone 6b) Jun 30, 2007

They're in BugFiles under Cicada Killer Wasps:

http://davesgarden.com/bf/adv_search.php?searcher%5Bcommon%5D=cicada+killer&searcher%5Bbugorder%5D=&searcher%5Bfamily%5D=&searcher%5Bgenus%5D=&searcher%5Bspecies%5D=&Search=Search


Odds are good that you have the one that's pictured in BugFiles, but here's the whole genus to look through (not very many)
http://bugguide.net/node/view/327

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kennedyh Churchill, Victoria, Australia(Zone 10a) Jul 01, 2007

BugGuide only illustrates one species Sphecius speciosus, but that seems to match yours pretty well: http://bugguide.net/node/view/514/bgimage

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Illoquin Indianapolis, IN(Zone 5b) Jul 01, 2007

Yes, thanks Claypa & KennedyH -- That's exactly what it is and is no longer a digger bee :))

Thanks again,
Suzy

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