We went seeking sand wasps along a sandy track in heathland … and sure enough, these small male Bembecinus were patrolling the same short stretch as in previous seasons. Indeed, on day 1 of our searching I struggled to spot a female. The males would zip about in low flight, then return to favoured perches atop sticks or small rocks.

At the same site two days later … under cloudless skies in the heat of late morning … and female Bembecinus were now out in force. Huge numbers, but largely confined to one section of the track. This is clearly a favoured nesting site, and they were digging with intent.

Bembecinus specialise in hunting leafhoppers, stocking their underground nests with paralysed nymphs and adults … all food for their developing larvae.

Bembix … the genus I was most keen to see! While I’ve yet to confirm the species ID, but I’m confident it will be one of those I’m seeking.

Ants are the bane of nesting sand wasps. They are quick to investigate every new excavation in the sand – and the wasps aren’t happy about it.

Although the wasps take flight, they do their best to intimidate the curious ants.

Bembix are typically much larger than Bembecinus, and this was certainly the case for the two species sharing this nesting area. The ants in this and the previous photo provide a sense of scale.