HYMENOPTERA > APOCRITA | Aculeata > Vespidae > Eumeninae

A largish (7-12mm body length) solidly-built, black bodied species characterised by having its S2 yellow side band extending forward of the lower band. Females have yellow bands on the back edge of the first three abdominal segments, whereas the smaller males have an extra band on S4. Females have predominantly orange legs.

Ancistocerus scoticus is a widespread, albeit local species, found in a wide variety of habitats right around the British Isles, but with most modern records mainly from coastal locations, hence its common name. Females normally build their clay cells in hollow spaces (crevices in rocks, holes in the ground or suitable vertical surfaces, dead stems or cracks in tree bark), provisioning the nests with small caterpillars or occasionally beetle larvae. The species can be seen from June to August, sometimes in May or September dependent on the weather conditions.