🐝 Ants, Bees & Wasps

Thread-waisted Wasp

Ammophila sabulosa

About Thread-waisted Wasp

An elegant wasp with an extremely narrow petiole and red-banded abdomen. It hunts caterpillars and carries them clasped beneath its body to sandy burrows.

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Did You Know?

It uses a small pebble as a tool to tamp down the sand plug sealing its burrow, one of the earliest documented cases of tool use in insects.

How to Identify Thread-waisted Wasp

Thread-waisted Wasp (Ammophila sabulosa) belongs to the order Hymenoptera, family Sphecidae. Adults typically measure 16-24 mm.

Thread-waisted Wasp Habitat

Thread-waisted Wasp is found in beaches & coastal habitats, particularly across Europe, Asia. This species has adapted to thrive in its preferred environment, where it can find suitable food sources and shelter.

Thread-waisted Wasp Diet and Feeding

Thread-waisted Wasp is a predatory species that actively hunts and feeds on other insects and small invertebrates. As a predator, it helps control populations of pest species and maintains ecological balance.

Where Is Thread-waisted Wasp Found?

Thread-waisted Wasp can be found in Europe, Asia, where it inhabits beaches & coastal environments. Its distribution is influenced by climate, food availability, and habitat suitability.

Distribution Map

Where Thread-waisted Wasp can be found

Is Thread-waisted Wasp Dangerous?

Thread-waisted Wasp belongs to the order Hymenoptera, which includes many stinging insects. While not typically aggressive, it may sting if threatened or handled. Stings can cause pain and swelling, and in rare cases may trigger allergic reactions in sensitive individuals.

Thread-waisted Wasp Role in Nature

Thread-waisted Wasp serves as a natural predator, helping to control populations of other insects. Predatory insects are valuable in both natural ecosystems and agriculture, where they reduce the numbers of pest species without the need for chemical pesticides.

Seasonal Activity

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Peak activity Moderate Low / dormant

Frequently Asked Questions About Thread-waisted Wasp

What does Thread-waisted Wasp look like?

The Thread-waisted Wasp typically measures 16-24 mm.

Where is Thread-waisted Wasp found?

The Thread-waisted Wasp is found in Europe, Asia and typically inhabits beaches & coastal environments.

What does Thread-waisted Wasp eat?

The Thread-waisted Wasp is a predator that hunts and feeds on other insects and small invertebrates.

Is Thread-waisted Wasp dangerous to humans?

The Thread-waisted Wasp belongs to the order Hymenoptera, which includes stinging insects. While not typically aggressive, it may sting if threatened or handled.

What is an interesting fact about Thread-waisted Wasp?

It uses a small pebble as a tool to tamp down the sand plug sealing its burrow, one of the earliest documented cases of tool use in insects.

Cite This Page

APA:
InsectDiscover. (2026). Thread-waisted Wasp (Ammophila sabulosa). Retrieved from https://insectdiscover.com/insect/thread-waisted-wasp

MLA:
"Thread-waisted Wasp." InsectDiscover, https://insectdiscover.com/insect/thread-waisted-wasp.