ONH

Sand Wasp adult feeding

Bembix sp.

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    1 - Sand Wasp adult, Bembix sp., feeding on the gut contents of a captured fly.

    07/31/2016 Ediz Hook, Port Angeles, Washington

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    2 - Sand Wasp adult feeding on the gut contents of a captured fly.

    07/31/2016 Ediz Hook, Port Angeles, Washington

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    3 - Sand Wasp adult feeding on the gut contents of a captured fly.

    07/31/2016 Ediz Hook, Port Angeles, Washington

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    4 - Sand Wasp adult feeding on the gut contents of a captured fly.

    07/31/2016 Ediz Hook, Port Angeles, Washington

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    5 - Sand Wasp adult taking off after feeding on the gut contents of a captured fly.

    07/31/2016 Ediz Hook, Port Angeles, Washington

  • Content Slide

6 - Sand Wasp adult feeding on the gut contents of a captured fly. Normal speed video followed by 1/4 speed.

07/31/2016 Ediz Hook, Port Angeles, Washington

Sand wasp adults have been observed feeding on a variety of substances that supply water and nutrients: honeydew secreted by aphids, flower nectar, sap and body fluids of captured insects.

Bembix has also been reported to drink undigested nectar from the foregut of captured prey, inserting its proboscis through the thin cuticle around the neck. After feeding on the nectar, the Bembix adult flies off with the mostly intact and still living prey to provision its larva.

I photographed and video recorded this behavior on Ediz Hook in Port Angeles, WA.

The video shows the adult feeding, first the clip plays at normal speed, then the same clip repeats at 1/4 speed.

Thanks to Jeremy Frank for enlightening me on this behavior on this bugguide page.

The Comparative Ethology and Evolution of the Sand Wasps, Howard E. Evans, Harvard University Press 1966.
Sand wasp feeding is discussed on pages 427-429, with the nectar-feeding behavior noted on p 429.