Podalonia hirsuta is a species of parasitoidal wasps in the family Sphecidae. BiolibITIS
Subspecies Podalonia hirsuta hirsuta (Scopoli, 1763) Podalonia hirsuta mervensis (Radoszkowski, 1887)
Description Podalonia hirsuta is similar to the sand wasps (Ammophila). It has a big black head, a black thorax, with a threadlike waist (petiole). The abdomen is black with a red-orange large band.
The females make their nests digging a burrow in a sandy area. The preys are generally large, hairless caterpillars of moths (Noctuidae). In the paralysed caterpillars they lay their eggs. Bees, Wasps & Ants Recording Society
Flight period extends from late March to mid-September in females, while males fly from June to September.
Distribution and habitat This species is present in most of Europe.Fauna europaea This mainly coastal species commonly can be found in sandy soils.
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