Theses are a group of wasps commonly called a “sand wasp”, due to that they nest in the sand. There are many genus, across many species that nest in the sand.
There are thought to be at least 200 species of Bembecinus and around 380 species of Bembix.
Sand Wasp (subfamily Bembicinae), Alice Springs, NT
In the following video, you can see the samd wasps in a frenetic “mating balls”. Usually these mating balls consist of one female with males enclosed around her.
Sand Wasp (subfamily Bembicinae), Alice Springs, NT
Sand Wasp (subfamily Bembicinae), Alice Springs, NT
Sand Wasp (subfamily Bembicinae), Alice Springs, NT
Sand Wasp (subfamily Bembicinae), Alice Springs, NT
Sand Wasp (subfamily Bembicinae), Alice Springs, NT
Sand Wasp (subfamily Bembicinae), Alice Springs, NT
Sand Wasp (subfamily Bembicinae), Alice Springs, NT
Sand Wasp (subfamily Bembicinae), Alice Springs, NT
Sand Wasp (subfamily Bembicinae), Alice Springs, NT
Sand Wasp (subfamily Bembicinae), Alice Springs, NT
Sand Wasp (subfamily Bembicinae), Alice Springs, NT – click image to view full screen
The following images are closeups (some unfortunately are not very sharp).
Sand Wasp (subfamily Bembicinae), Alice Springs, NT
Sand Wasp (subfamily Bembicinae), Alice Springs, NT
Sand Wasp (subfamily Bembicinae), Alice Springs, NT
Sand Wasp (subfamily Bembicinae), Alice Springs, NT
Sand Wasp (subfamily Bembicinae), Alice Springs, NT
Sand Wasp (subfamily Bembicinae), Alice Springs, NT
Sand Wasp (subfamily Bembicinae), Alice Springs, NT
Sand Wasp (subfamily Bembicinae), Alice Springs, NT
Sand Wasp (subfamily Bembicinae), Alice Springs, NT
Sand Wasp (subfamily Bembicinae), Alice Springs, NT
Sand Wasp (subfamily Bembicinae), Alice Springs, NT
Sand Wasp (subfamily Bembicinae), Alice Springs, NT
Sand Wasp (subfamily Bembicinae), Alice Springs, NT
Sand Wasp (subfamily Bembicinae), Alice Springs, NT
Sand Wasp (subfamily Bembicinae), Alice Springs, NT
Sand Wasp (subfamily Bembicinae), Alice Springs, NT
Sand Wasp (subfamily Bembicinae), Alice Springs, NT
Sand Wasp (subfamily Bembicinae), Alice Springs, NT
Sand Wasp (subfamily Bembicinae), Alice Springs, NT
Sand Wasp (subfamily Bembicinae), Alice Springs, NT
Sand Wasp (subfamily Bembicinae), Alice Springs, NT
Sand Wasp (subfamily Bembicinae), Alice Springs, NT
Sand Wasp (subfamily Bembicinae), Alice Springs, NT
Sand Wasp (subfamily Bembicinae), Alice Springs, NT
Sand Wasp (subfamily Bembicinae), Alice Springs, NT
Sand Wasp (subfamily Bembicinae), Alice Springs, NT
Sand Wasp (subfamily Bembicinae), Alice Springs, NT
Sand Wasp (subfamily Bembicinae), Alice Springs, NT
Sand Wasp (subfamily Bembicinae), Alice Springs, NT
Sand Wasp (subfamily Bembicinae), Alice Springs, NT
Sand Wasp (subfamily Bembicinae), Alice Springs, NT
Sand Wasp (subfamily Bembicinae), Alice Springs, NT
Sand Wasp (subfamily Bembicinae), Alice Springs, NT
Sand Wasp (subfamily Bembicinae), Alice Springs, NT
Sand Wasp (subfamily Bembicinae), Alice Springs, NT
Sand Wasp (subfamily Bembicinae), Alice Springs, NT
Sand Wasp (subfamily Bembicinae), Alice Springs, NT
Sand Wasp (subfamily Bembicinae), Alice Springs, NT
Sand Wasp (subfamily Bembicinae), Alice Springs, NT
Sand Wasp (subfamily Bembicinae), Alice Springs, NT
Sand Wasp (subfamily Bembicinae), Alice Springs, NT
Sand Wasp (subfamily Bembicinae), Alice Springs, NT
Sand Wasp (subfamily Bembicinae), Alice Springs, NT
Sand Wasp (subfamily Bembicinae), Alice Springs, NT
Sand Wasp (subfamily Bembicinae), Alice Springs, NT
Sand Wasp (subfamily Bembicinae), Alice Springs, NT
Sand Wasp (subfamily Bembicinae), Alice Springs, NT
Sand Wasp (subfamily Bembicinae), Alice Springs, NT
Sand Wasp (subfamily Bembicinae), Alice Springs, NT
Sand Wasp (subfamily Bembicinae), Alice Springs, NT
Sand Wasp (subfamily Bembicinae), Alice Springs, NT
Sand Wasp (subfamily Bembicinae), Alice Springs, NT
Sand Wasp (subfamily Bembicinae), Alice Springs, NT – click image to view full screen