How Big Are Digger Wasps?
WouterAmong the largest wasps, the digger wasp can get up to three inches long. These wasps are solitary and live in North America. They do not tend to be aggressive toward humans. They only sting when attacked.
The female digger wasp will build a nest in the ground. The nests are generally deep in the ground. They are made up of vertical banks of light soil. The tunnels that the wasps build can be quite deep, up to two feet deep. The opening of the tunnel is about a quarter of an inch in size.
Female digger wasps are not aggressive toward humans. They are solitary wasps, which means that they tend to build a nest alone. They may be found in open areas, such as grassy fields. They are a bit confusing to figure out when first spotting them in your yard.
A female digger wasp will dig a tunnel with spiny brushes on her front legs. She then digs it deep enough to withstand changes in temperature. She uses this tunnel to provision her nest with prey. When the tunnel is complete, she seals it. This allows the nest to be protected from intruders.
The female digger wasp lays an egg inside the tunnel. It then returns to the nest to prepare the eggs for hatching. It then returns to the tunnel and checks it for intruders. The nest is then sealed to prevent the eggs from escaping.
