HYMENOPTERA > APOCRITA | Aculeata > Crabronidae > Bembicinae [BWARS: Nyssoninae]

A medium-sized (7-10mm body length) distinctive black wasp with yellow markings on collar and thorax, an abdomen with three yellow bands with those on the ‘waisted’ S1 segment often appearing as unmerged spots, and dark smudges on the forewings.

The species has been recorded across much of southern Britain, but sparingly, hence its nationally scarce status. It favours scrubby areas in sunny locations, such as those found around rough grassland or heathland, but also in woodland clearings and some gardens, or even at coastal locations if the soil is light enough for burrowing. The nest cells are provisioned with bugs, and the adults can be seen from June to September.