Wasps are by far my least favorite insect. They’re unsociable, unpredictable, sting for no apparent reason.
Not to mention their unfortunate habit of ruining perfectly nice summer pancake picnics.
But their large green-eyed cousin, the sand wasp Bembix rostrata, is in a league of its own.
This big, friendly giant is my all time favorite wasp!
Just look at those oversized cartoon eyes and that oddly cute snorkel-like snout. There’s no malice in that face.
Yes, like any respectable wasp, it can sting (well, its wife that is). But lucky for us, she only uses her stinger to paralyze prey. We’re off the hook.
And those eyes,with their huge pupils* How can you not smile back?
Did you know?
*Like damselflies, wasps have compound eyes made of thousands of tiny lenses (ommatidia). Light reflects differently from each one, creating a quirky optical illusion called a pseudopupil, which gives these insects a surprisingly human-like gaze.
Fun fact
This sand wasp can rotate rapidly on its own axis, flapping its wings so fast that it produces a sound reminiscent of a gyroscope! Sourice: Wikipedia | bembix rostrata
