Ornate Tailed Digger Wasp
Cerceris rybyensis
This record describes Cerceris rybyensis (species). Recorded family: Crabronidae. Recorded order: Hymenoptera.
Identification and Appearance
A black and yellow banded species which is similar to several others. Care is needed with identification. Most solitary bees and wasps are difficult to identify, and can rarely be identified from photos taken in the field. All red-rated records should include a photo or set of photos of the specimen, illustrating the key characters taken from a standard key, which should also be referenced (e.g. ‘Falk, 2015’). The full set of key characters are generally not visible in field photos and photos are rarely sharp enough. To aid in the verification of your records, please include face shot, side, top and wings. The notes should state whether male or female, and explain how the specimen met the key characters. Although NS may not be able to identify the species even if these reference photos are provided, the photos will be stored with the record and may allow it be identified in future. Alternatively, NS will accept records identified by a recognised local or national expert, or that have been identified via BWARS Facebook Group . If you have obtained this advice, please note the name of the person/organisation identifying the record in the ‘determiner’ field (e.g. ‘Stuart Roberts, BWARS Facebook’) rather than just a comment of ‘BWARS Facebook’. Commonly associated with sandy soils, both on the coast and inland. It may also be associated with chalk grassland and heavier soils. Apparently single-brooded; late June to early September. The prey consists of small and medium-sized bees of various genera, which are paralysed by stinging. Females of this wasp frequently nest in quite dense aggregations, usually on level, exposed compacted soil. For example, sites have included an unsurfaced road and an abandoned sand quarry in Dorset, and soil between the paving stones of a patio in Greater London. The nest consists of a deep (10 to 15 cm) burrow, from which short lateral burrows branch off and terminate in single cells. Often locally common in southern England, though, surprisingly, there appear to be no confirmed records from Wales.
Wikipedia reference for Cerceris rybyensis: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Cerceris_rybyensis.
Classification
- Kingdom
- Animalia
- Phylum
- Arthropoda
- Class
- Insecta
- Order
- Hymenoptera
- Family
- Crabronidae
- Genus
- Cerceris
Imported taxonomy record. Source availability varies; see the source references and editorial policy below.
Habitat and Range
Habitat
Commonly associated with sandy soils, both on the coast and inland. It may also be associated with chalk grassland and heavier soils.
Seasonal Activity
Apparently single-brooded; late June to early September.
Diet and Behavior
Life History
The prey consists of small and medium-sized bees of various genera, which are paralysed by stinging. Females of this wasp frequently nest in quite dense aggregations, usually on level, exposed compacted soil. For example, sites have included an unsurfaced road and an abandoned sand quarry in Dorset, and soil between the paving stones of a patio in Greater London. The nest consists of a deep (10 to 15 cm) burrow, from which short lateral burrows branch off and terminate in single cells.
Additional species information
Recorded status
Often locally common in southern England, though, surprisingly, there appear to be no confirmed records from Wales.
About Flies: the wider group
Order-level background for Hymenoptera, the group containing Cerceris rybyensis. Species-specific details appear above.
Group overview
Hymenoptera includes over 150,000 described species of ants, bees, wasps, and sawflies. Earth harbors approximately 20 quadrillion (20×10^15) ants, with a combined biomass of ~12 megatons of dry carbon - exceeding the combined biomass of all wild birds and mammals (PNAS, 2022).
Ecological role of the group
About 35% of the world's food crops depend on animal pollinators. The chocolate industry, valued at over $100 billion, depends on pollinating flies and midges. Ants are the dominant soil engineers in most terrestrial ecosystems, turning more soil than earthworms in many habitats.
Economic and practical significance of the group
Pollinators contribute $235-577 billion worth of annual global food production (FAO). In the U.S., bee pollination alone benefits crops valued at $18 billion annually, and honey bees are responsible for $5.4 billion in agricultural productivity. Between April 2023-2024, 55.1% of managed honey bee colonies were lost. The U.S. bee population dropped from 5 million to 2.5 million.
Recorded sources for this group: FAO, USDA, EPA, PNAS (2022), US Fish & Wildlife Service. Imported estimates may describe particular regions or reporting periods.
Photos of Ornate Tailed Digger Wasp (2)
Frequently Asked Questions About Ornate Tailed Digger Wasp
What is Ornate Tailed Digger Wasp?
Ornate Tailed Digger Wasp (Cerceris rybyensis) is a species in the family Crabronidae, within the order Hymenoptera.
Where is Ornate Tailed Digger Wasp found?
Habitat: Commonly associated with sandy soils, both on the coast and inland. It may also be associated with chalk grassland and heavier soils.
When is Ornate Tailed Digger Wasp active?
Ornate Tailed Digger Wasp: seasonal activity - Apparently single-brooded; late June to early September..
What is the life cycle of a Ornate Tailed Digger Wasp?
The prey consists of small and medium-sized bees of various genera, which are paralysed by stinging. Females of this wasp frequently nest in quite dense aggregations, usually on level, exposed compacted soil. For example, sites have included an unsurfaced road and an abandoned sand quarry in Dorset, and soil between the paving stones of a patio in Greater London. The nest consists of a deep (10 to 15 cm) burrow, from which short lateral burrows branch off and terminate in single cells.