Thread-waisted wasps (Ammophila) have an extraordinarily slender, elongated waist (petiole) that allows flexible movement while dragging paralyzed caterpillars back to their burrows. Individual females show what appears to be tool use, tamping down soil at the burrow entrance with a small pebble held in their mandibles. They are solitary, non-aggressive, and important predators of caterpillars.
Recent Thread-waisted Wasp sightings near you
Live, research-grade observations from iNaturalist. Allow location to center the map on you.
Spot a Thread-waisted Wasp? Identify it instantly.
Point Huck at any plant or animal and get an instant ID, rarity, and field notes - building your personal nature collection as you go.
Get HuckGet an alert when a Thread-waisted Wasp is spotted
Pick a park, state, or city and we’ll email you when one turns up there. One check a day, only when there’s something new.
Free. Unsubscribe from any email. See our Privacy Policy.
Love insects & arthropods? Get Huck field notes
Spotting tips, new species, and the best of what people are finding in the wild - straight to your inbox.