Mystery Insect at Dunwich Heath (Ammophila sabulosa)

Some weeks ago, around 18 July, we were out and about on Dunwich Heath in the early evening. The heather was in full flower and it had been a lovely day.

We were keeping an eye out for deer and for Stonechats, and while we failed to see either on this occasion, my eyes fell upon this strange insect, which I guessed was a kind of ant. There were three of them in the area, if I remember correctly, but they were pretty speedy creatures and hard to catch on camera as the kept vanishing beyond the wire netting.

I was browsing the web earlier today when I spotted a photo of the insect here on the RSPB Lakenheath Fen page. The creature turns out (it seems to me) to be Red-banded Sand Wasp (Ammophila sabulosa). It has even appeared on a Romanian postage stamp. You can read about the wasp's kleptoparasitic behaviour in the Comments here on the iSpot nature website. 

These wasps are quite striking. They are long, thin and ant-like. However, in my opinion, they are not as striking as their near neighbour, the Ruby-tailed wasp, which I have seen on the adjoining stretch of coast at Minsmere and in my Suffolk garden.

Ruby-tailed Wasp in my garden, 2014

Nature Reserves (4): Ruby-tailed Wasp at Minsmere

I noticed this unusual insect at Minsmere last Saturday. As you can see from the next photo, it was very active and intent on vanishing down the crack, so I had to grab my camera quickly ... and consequently I should apologise for the poor quality of these photos. But at least I have two record shots.

I searched the web and Google Images, but without success. Daniel from What's that Bug came to my rescue, and you can read about this insect here. For an impressive photo, you might like to click here.

According to the Gateshead Birders site, the not dissimilar Chrysis ignita lays its eggs in the nests of mason bees, and is therefore a climber of walls. 

Rosy-tailed Wasp (Hedychridium roseum)

• Essex Field Club page for Hedychridium roseum