Cerceris Digger Wasp 4 - Cerceris sp.

Family Crabronidae, subfamily Philanthinae

This page contains pictures and information about Cerceris Digger Wasps that we found in the Brisbane area, Queensland, Australia.


Body length 12mm

We noticed this wasp when it was suddenly drop to ground level when flying. It found a small beetle hiding within the dense plants on the floor.



We saw the wasp holding the beetle and doing a pumping action, with its abdomen tip pointed towards the bottom side if the beetle's abdomen. We believed the wasp was try to sting the beetle and paralyze it. Then the wasp held the beetle and flied away. The whole process was within 20 seconds.



The small beetle is the Leaf Cylinder Beetle in subfamily Cryptocephalinae.

Photos were taken in Anstead Forest on Feb 2010. Please check the Philanthinae page for more general information on Cerceris Digger Wasps.

Reference and Link:
1. Insects of Australia, CSIRO, Division of Entomology, Melbourne University Press, 2nd Edition 1991, pp 993.
2. Insects of Australia and New Zealand - R. J. Tillyard, Angus & Robertson, Ltd, Sydney, 1926, p299.