BTB Ammophila rubripes (Spinola, 1839)
Family: Sphecidae, (Sand wasps)
Adults are seen, June to September.
A. rubripes, is a widespread species, mostly seen in the warmer regions of all continents.
Habitat: Various locations, mostly sandy, very often seen on a variety of seasonal wild flowers.
Typically, like all Sphecids, being elongated and long-legged are solitary wasps, that feed on various spiders and insects. The prey is paralised and taken to their underground nest, an egg will be laid on prey and this will provide the food needed for their larva once hatched. Before leaving, the female will seal the nest, usually with a small pebble.
In the images below, as it was in the evening, I believe this wasp was starting to settle down for the night, which they usually do by gripping hold of a stem by their mandibles.
Please note BTB (believed to be) appears before this species name, so if you are able to recognise this species true identity, or confirm I have it right, by all means I would like to hear from you by email.