Female. Santiago Truck Trail, Orange County, CA. 5/12/09. © Peter J. Bryant |
Burrowing Wasp
Ammophila sp. Hymenoptera: Sphecidae Text by Ron Hemberger Back to Arthropods of Orange County, California Ammophila captures and paralyzes caterpillars, lays eggs in them, then buries them in sand. When the eggs hatch and become larvae, they feed on the caterpillar. |
Riley Wilderness Park, Coto de Caza, Orange County, CA. 08/08/06. © Ron Hemberger |
Riley Wilderness Park, Coto de Caza, Orange County, CA. 08/08/06. © Ron Hemberger |
Riley Wilderness Park, Coto de Caza, Orange County, CA. 08/08/06. © Ron Hemberger |
Riley Wilderness Park, Coto de Caza, Orange County, CA. 08/08/06. © Ron Hemberger |
San Joaquin Freshwater Marsh, Irvine, Orange County, CA. 10-28-06. © Ron Hemberger |
San Joaquin Freshwater Marsh, Irvine, Orange County, CA. 10-28-06. © Ron Hemberger |
San Joaquin Freshwater Marsh, Irvine, Orange County, CA. 10-28-06. © Ron Hemberger |
San Joaquin Freshwater Marsh, Irvine, Orange County, CA. 10-28-06. © Ron Hemberger |
San Joaquin Freshwater Marsh, Irvine, Orange County, CA. 10-28-06. © Ron Hemberger |
In this series of photos from San Joaquin Marsh, the female is filling the hole, or burrow. After inspecting the jobsite, she selects and fits large pebbles to speed her work. The final step consists of pushing in sand, much the same way as a dog buries a bone. Once covered, the hole blends in perfectly with the surrounding soil. |
Female. Santiago Truck Trail, Orange County, CA. 5/12/09. © Peter J. Bryant |
Upper Newport Bay, Orange County, CA. 07/84 © Peter J. Bryant |
Nix Nature Center, Laguna Beach, Orange County, CA. 8-27-10. © Ron Hemberger |
Nix Nature Center, Laguna Beach, Orange County, CA. 8-27-10. © Ron Hemberger |
Nix Nature Center, Laguna Beach, Orange County, CA. 8-27-10. © Ron Hemberger |
Nix Nature Center, Laguna Beach, Orange County, CA. 8-27-10. © Ron Hemberger |
James Dilley Preserve, Laguna Beach, Orange County, CA. 5-29-10. © Ron Hemberger |
James Dilley Preserve, Laguna Beach, Orange County, CA. 5-29-10. © Ron Hemberger |