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Slender Digger Wasp - Crossocerus elongatulus

Favourite Photos

image species author location uploaded taken select
Slender Digger Wasp Slender Digger Wasp - Crossocerus elongatulus dylan Ashton court 1 Mar 2024, 1:33 a.m. 29 Jun 2023, 3:11 p.m.
Slender Digger Wasp Slender Digger Wasp - Crossocerus elongatulus dylan Ashton court 1 Mar 2024, 1:33 a.m. 29 Jun 2023, 3:10 p.m.
Slender Digger Wasp Slender Digger Wasp - Crossocerus elongatulus dylan Ashton court 1 Mar 2024, 1:33 a.m. 29 Jun 2023, 3:10 p.m.
Slender Digger Wasp Slender Digger Wasp - Crossocerus elongatulus dylan Ashton court 1 Mar 2024, 1:33 a.m. 29 Jun 2023, 3:10 p.m.
Slender Digger Wasp Slender Digger Wasp - Crossocerus elongatulus dylan Ashton court 1 Mar 2024, 1:33 a.m. 29 Jun 2023, 3:10 p.m.
Slender Digger Wasp Slender Digger Wasp - Crossocerus elongatulus dylan Ashton court 1 Mar 2024, 1:33 a.m. 29 Jun 2023, 3:10 p.m.

Species Description

Widespread and locally frequent in the Southern half of the UK, becoming scarce in the North. Habitat includes: scrub, woodland edge. Life story: Female create nests in the ground in places such as sandy banks but also soft mortar of brickwork, stone walls, dead wood e.g. posts containing holes. Multiple females may share one tunnel entrance which then breaks into their own individual ones. Prey item: Small flies from the families: Chloropidae, Lauxaniidae, Stratiomyidae, Empididae, Dolichopodidae and Agromyzidae. Parasites: Macronychia polyodon. Flight period: May to September. Other names include: Elongated Boxhead Wasp.

Looks similar to Lindenius albilabris.

Useful Links:

BWARS

The Ecology of Commanster

GBIF

NBN