Bembix Rostrata (Linnaeus, 1758) Body length 15 to 24mm
Family Crabronidae – Bembix rostrata is a protected species of sand wasp. They are solitary wasps and are commonly known as “Digger wasps”
The labrum feature is extended and is beak like. The adults make a noticeable buzzing sound in flight.
Season: June to August.
Habitat: Various open sandy soils, such as coastal sites.
Visit a wide range of flowers for nectar in warm regions, favouring open; sandy soils.
B. rostrata dig their burrows with fast synchronised movements of its fore-legs.
The female constructs a tunnel up to 20cm in length, containing one brood cell; which she keeps stocked with a large number of various insects including spiders. Large flies like horse flies (Tabanidae) and hoverflies (Syrphidae) are a common favourite of prey for B. rostrata. After feeding, the female will carefully re-seal the nest chamber; this will continue for about two weeks until the larvae reaches the imago stage (final stage of development). B. rostrata females, very often use the same places to nest year on year and is very intensive with her maternal care; with this maternal behaviour at the most she will only raise about eight larvae in the summer months.
The numbers of this species are falling each year and has become rare due to the loss of large open-sanded surfaces in warm landscapes.
Also, it is a host for several parasitoids families: Bombyliidae, Multillidae and Conopidae just to name a few. The cuckoo wasp (Parnopes grandior) specialises in B. rostrata.