Taxonomy
Oxybelus argentatus | Silver Spiny Digger Wasp
Distribution
Status
Conservation status
Not Assessed
Species Biology
Identification
- Body length: 5-9mm
- Head and thorax black in colour
- Abdomen predominantly black with yellow markings on the sides
- Legs yellow and reddish-brown in colour
- Short silver hairs on head, thorax and abdomen
- Could be confused with Oxybelus uniglumis, which has whitish abdominal markings, less pronounced silver hairs and redder legs.
Habitat
Restricted to sandy coastal sites.
Flight period
Univoltine, flying between late June-August.
Nesting biology
Unknown in Ireland, but elsewhere nests are constructed in bare, loose sand. Cells are constructed in each burrow, which are deposited with paralysed flies, particularly the Therevid fly Acrosathe annulata. The wasp larvae will consume the paralysed fly before pupating and emerging as an adult the following year.
Flowers visited
None observed in Ireland, but possibly visits flowers such as Thistles (Cirsium/Carduus) and Wild Carrot (Daucus carota).
Similar species
- Oxybelus uniglumis (see above)
Distribution
World distribution(GBIF)
Temporal change
Records submitted to Data Centre in 2025
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