digger wasp

n. Any of several burrowing, usually solitary wasps of the family Sphecidae that excavate nests in soil which they provision with prey paralyzed by stinging for their larvae to feed on.

digger wasp

n (Animals) any solitary wasp of the families Sphecidae and Pamphilidae that digs nest holes in the ground, rotten wood, or a hollow stem and stocks them with live insects for the larvae

dig′ger wasp`

n. any of numerous solitary wasps of the family Sphecidae that excavate nests, as in soil, and provision them with prey paralyzed by stinging. [1840–50]

Thesaurus

Noun

digger wasp - solitary wasp that digs nests in the soil and stocks them with paralyzed insects for the larvaesphecoid, sphecoid wasp - any of various solitary waspscicada killer, Sphecius speciosis - large black or rust-colored wasp that preys on cicadas

Digger Wasp

(Philanthus triangulum), a solitary wasp of the Sphecidae family. Body length, 12-16 mm.

The adult digger wasp feeds on flowers. The female builds a vertical burrow approximately 1 m deep with chambers on the sides where the larvae develop. The wasp preys on honeybees, killing them and bringing them back to the nest to feed the larvae. During its development, a larva will eat four to six bees. Settling in large colonies near apiaries, digger wasps may be detrimental to beekeeping.

digger wasp

digger wasp

digger wasp

dig′ger wasp`

Digger Wasp

Digger Wasp

digger wasp

Words related to digger wasp

noun solitary wasp that digs nests in the soil and stocks them with paralyzed insects for the larvae

Related Words