Green-eyed square-headed sand wasp digging a hole or burrow in the dessert sand...

Описание: A "green eyed square headed sand wasp" refers to wasps, primarily from the genus Tachytes, known for their large, vibrant green eyes, solitary ground-nesting habits in sandy soil, and provisioning nests with paralyzed grasshoppers or flies for their larvae, acting as beneficial pest controllers. While often called "sand wasps" or Tachytes, they belong to the larger family Crabronidae, which includes other predatory wasps like Bembix.

Key Characteristics:
Eyes: Very prominent, bright green eyes, especially in males.
Size: Varies, but generally medium-sized.
Color: Often black with some markings, but not always the typical yellow-jacket stripes.
Behavior: Solitary, non-aggressive, dig nests in sandy soil, hunt grasshoppers/flies.
Diet: Adults drink nectar, aiding pollination; larvae eat paralyzed insects.
Names & Classification:
Commonly called Green-eyed Wasps, Sand Wasps, or Square-headed Wasps**.
Belong to the genus Tachytes, family Crabronidae.
Role in the Ecosystem:
Beneficial Predators: Excellent at controlling populations of grasshoppers, locusts, and flies, reducing crop pests.
Pollinators: Adults visit flowers for nectar, contributing to pollination.

About the sand wasp in the video:
A female sand wasp is an expert and efficient excavator in pure desert sand, digging burrows to create a secure nursery for her offspring.

Digging Behavior:
Tools and Technique: The female wasp is specially adapted for digging, using the spiny brushes on her front legs as an effective rake to push sand backward out of the hole. Larger grains or pebbles are grasped with her mandibles and dragged away from the entrance.
Speed: They are known for their impressive speed, creating burrows quickly in loose sand.
Burrow Structure: The burrow usually starts as an oblique or vertical tunnel that can be up to 30 cm (12 inches) or more deep, depending on the species and the sand consistency. The tunnel typically ends in a terminal chamber or "cell" where the egg and food are placed. Some species may create several cells branching off the main tunnel, and some even dig decoy tunnels to confuse predators.
Concealment: The female is meticulous about hiding the entrance. After laying an egg and provisioning the nest, she kicks sand over the opening to make it visually impossible to locate. Some species even use a small pebble or twig held in their jaws as a tool to flatten and smooth over the entrance, a rare example of tool use in insects.
Navigation: Despite the hidden entrance and shifting sand, the female uses local visual landmarks (like specific rocks or plants) and orientation flights to remember the exact location of each of her several nests.

Purpose of the Burrow:
The burrow serves as a protected nursery for the wasp's developing young. The process involves several key steps:
Nesting Site Selection: Wasps prefer sunny, open, bare, and dry sandy areas with little to no vegetation. This environment has a desert-like microclimate, with deep burrows helping to maintain a more stable temperature for the eggs and larvae.
Provisioning: The female hunts and paralyzes prey, typically flies, caterpillars, or other insects, with her sting.
Laying Eggs: The paralyzed, but still living, prey is dragged into the burrow, and a single egg is laid on it. The paralyzed state keeps the food fresh and prevents it from struggling and injuring the delicate larva.
Development: When the larva hatches, it feeds on the paralyzed insect. The mother often continues to bring more food (progressive provisioning) until the larva is large enough to pupate in a silk and sand cocoon.
Observing the females as they work, zipping in and out and expertly moving the sand, highlights their remarkable adaptation to the harsh desert and sandy environments they inhabit.
(Text source: Google AI)

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