Digger Wasps Identification Guide
Sphex spp.
Large solitary wasps that dig burrows in sandy soil and hunt grasshoppers and crickets. Despite their size, digger wasps are not aggressive toward humans.
Taxonomy
Digger Wasps Coloration
Common color patterns to help identify digger wasps
Digger Wasps
Seasonal Activity
When digger wasps are most active throughout the year
Where Digger Wasps Are Found
Hover over states to see their names. Green regions indicate where digger wasps have been reported.
Digger Wasp Identification Guide
Physical Characteristics
Digger wasps are large insects that often alarm homeowners due to their size. They measure 0.75 to 1.5 inches long. This makes them among the larger wasps in North America. Despite their size, these solitary wasps are calm around people. Their bodies have a slender shape with a narrow “waist” between the thorax and abdomen. Strong jaws help them dig burrows and handle prey.
Colors vary by species. Most digger wasps have some mix of black, orange, red, and golden colors. Their wings are often amber or smoky brown. Females are larger than males and have a stinger. They rarely use it unless stepped on or grabbed. Males have no stinger and cannot harm people despite sometimes hovering nearby.
Common Species
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Great Golden Digger Wasp (Sphex ichneumoneus): The most commonly encountered species in eastern North America. Adults measure about 1 inch long. They have a black head, golden hairs covering the thorax, bright orange legs, and a black-tipped orange abdomen. The golden coloring on the thorax gives them their common name.
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Great Black Digger Wasp (Sphex pensylvanicus): Also called the great black wasp. These wasps have black bodies that show a blue-violet shine in sunlight. Females reach 1 to 1.5 inches long. Their smoky wings have the same shiny quality as their bodies.
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Golden Digger Wasp (Sphex funerarius): Found primarily in western states. Similar in appearance to the great golden digger wasp but slightly smaller. Has golden coloring on the head and thorax with an orange-red abdomen.
Digger Wasp Behavior and Biology
Unlike yellowjackets and hornets, digger wasps are solitary insects. Each female works alone to build her nest and stock it with food for her young. There is no queen, no workers, and no social structure. However, when soil conditions are good, many females may nest in the same area. This can make it look like a colony. But the wasps do not work together or share resources.
Hunting and Nesting
Female digger wasps hunt grasshoppers, crickets, and katydids. They find prey using their sharp eyesight rather than smell. After spotting a target, the wasp attacks and stings it. The venom paralyzes the prey but does not kill it. This keeps the food fresh for the growing larva.
Each female digs a burrow 6 to 20 inches deep in sandy or loose soil. She uses her strong jaws and legs to dig. She prefers sunny, open areas with sparse grass. The soil she removes creates a small mound at the entrance. Inside the burrow, she makes one or more cells. She places a paralyzed grasshopper or cricket in each cell. Then she lays a single egg on the prey. The egg hatches in about two days. The larva feeds on the paralyzed insect for one to two weeks.
Life Cycle
Digger wasps produce one generation per year in most regions. After the larva finishes eating, it spins a cocoon. It spends the winter in the underground cell. It changes into an adult in spring. Adults emerge in late spring or early summer. Most are active from June through August depending on location. Each adult lives for about one to two months. Mating occurs shortly after emergence. Females then begin digging burrows and hunting prey.
Diet and Prey
Adult digger wasps feed on flower nectar. They visit many types of flowers during summer months. Females hunt grasshoppers, crickets, and katydids to feed their larvae. A single female may capture dozens of prey insects during the nesting season. The wasps help reduce the number of these plant-eating insects in an area.
Treatment Options for Digger Wasps
Digger wasps pose minimal sting risk to people. They are solitary and not defensive of their nests like yellowjackets. However, homeowners may want to address nesting in high-traffic areas or play spaces. Several approaches can manage digger wasp activity.
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Habitat Changes: Digger wasps prefer bare or sandy soil in sunny spots. Making the area less attractive for nesting is effective long-term. Thick grass created by overseeding and fertilizing discourages nesting. Keeping soil moist also deters females since they prefer dry sites. Applying 2 to 3 inches of mulch to bare soil covers potential nest sites.
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Water Deterrents: Running a sprinkler over active nesting areas can encourage females to move elsewhere. This works well as a short-term fix while other changes take effect.
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Direct Treatment: For nesting in problem areas, treatment products can be applied to burrow entrances. This works best in evening when wasps are less active. A pest control professional can treat individual burrows or apply products to the soil in active nesting zones.
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Professional Help: If activity is in a high-traffic area or causes concern, a pest control professional can assess the situation. They can recommend the best approach based on the location and level of activity.
References
Other Wasps
Explore other species in the wasps family
Commonly Confused With
Digger Wasps are often mistaken for these similar pests
Where Digger Wasps Are Found
Hover over states to see their names. Green regions indicate where digger wasps have been reported.
Common Questions about Digger Wasps
Are digger wasps dangerous to humans?
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Digger wasps are not aggressive toward people and rarely sting. Males cannot sting at all. Females can sting but only do so if stepped on or handled roughly. Their venom is mild compared to social wasps like yellowjackets. They are considered one of the least dangerous wasps you might encounter.
Why are digger wasps digging holes in my yard?
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Female digger wasps dig burrows in sandy or loose soil to create nests for their young. They prefer sunny, open areas with sparse vegetation. Common nesting sites include lawns, flower beds, sandy patches, and areas along sidewalks or driveways with exposed soil.
Do digger wasps live in colonies?
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No, digger wasps are solitary insects. Each female builds and provisions her own nest independently. However, many females often nest close together when conditions are favorable. This can make it look like a colony, but each wasp works alone without cooperation.
What do digger wasps eat?
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Adult digger wasps feed on flower nectar. They hunt grasshoppers, crickets, and katydids to feed their larvae. A female paralyzes her prey with a sting and carries it to her burrow where the developing larva feeds on the still-living insect.
How can I tell digger wasps apart from cicada killers?
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Digger wasps are slightly smaller at 0.75 to 1.5 inches compared to cicada killers at 1.5 to 2 inches. Great golden digger wasps have a distinctive orange-red abdomen and golden hairs on the thorax. Cicada killers have yellow and black banding more similar to yellowjackets. The prey also differs as digger wasps hunt grasshoppers while cicada killers hunt cicadas.
Do digger wasps cause damage?
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Digger wasps cause minimal damage. Their burrows may create small dirt mounds in lawns, but they do not damage structures. They hunt grasshoppers, crickets, and katydids. Treatment is usually focused on nesting areas in high-traffic zones or play spaces.
When are digger wasps most active?
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Digger wasps are most active from late June through August during their mating and nesting season. They emerge in late spring and early summer. Adults typically live for one to two months. They are most visible on warm, sunny days when females are digging burrows or hunting prey.
With five years of hands-on experience in the pest control industry, George Schulz is a registered technician with the Virginia Pest Management Association and a proud third-generation professional in a family business that's been protecting homes for over 57 years. He manages and trains a team of service pros while also leading internal research efforts—recently spearheading a deep-dive review of thousands of documents on pest control materials to hand-pick the most kid and pet friendly, most effective solutions tailored specifically for homes in the DC metro area.