# Common Thread-waisted Wasp

*Ammophila procera*

This wasp is one of the few insects known to use tools; females will grasp a small pebble in their mandibles to hammer and compact the dirt when sealing their nest.

- **Taxonomy:** Animalia › Arthropoda › Insecta › Hymenoptera › Sphecidae › Ammophila
- **IUCN Red List status:** Least Concern
- **Population trend:** stable
- **Biome:** grassland
- **Habitat:** Open sandy areas, meadows, forest edges, and gardens.
- **Diet:** Adults feed on flower nectar; larvae feed exclusively on paralyzed caterpillars provided by the mother wasp.
- **Range:** North America, Central America
- **Size:** 20-35 mm (0.8-1.4 inches)
- **Lifespan:** 1 year (adults live for 1 to 2 months)
- **Active:** diurnal
- **Threats:** Pesticide application in gardens and agricultural areas, and loss of open sandy nesting habitats.
- **Safe to approach?:** Harmless and non-aggressive. These solitary wasps do not defend their nests like social wasps and will only sting if directly handled or stepped on. Observe their fascinating digging behavior from a distance of 1 to 2 feet. If stung, wash the area with soap and water and apply ice; seek medical attention only if you experience signs of an allergic reaction.

## About

Ammophila procera , the common thread-waisted wasp , is a species of thread-waisted wasp in the family Sphecidae.

## Sources

- Plate: https://gaia-dex.com/species/6df31e0d-73b3-49b0-84ec-f92c6176b126
- iNaturalist: https://www.inaturalist.org/taxa/129147
- Wikipedia: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Ammophila_procera
- Conservation status: IUCN Red List category, as recorded by Gaia-Dex
- Photo: https://inaturalist-open-data.s3.amazonaws.com/photos/1753386/medium.jpg (Steve Kerr, CC-BY, via iNaturalist)

Habitat, diet, size and similar notes are AI-written summaries; check them against the linked sources before relying on them.