The digging male soon attracted the attention of a second, cruising male.

Initially I didn’t see any overt physical attack, but the interloper was clearly seeking to drive the other male away.

And then a third one sought to crash the party!

The newcomers were persistent, but the first male did his best to guard the excavation site.

Well, perhaps not all just intimidation. There was the occasional physical stoush!

Perhaps his larger size was an advantage. Bembix furcata males range from 14mm to 21mm in length.