About Bembix rostrata (Linnaeus, 1758)
Bembix rostrata has distinct characteristics related to its behavior and physical traits. When it is at its nest, it shows very distinctive behavior: it digs burrows using fast, synchronized movements of its forelegs. This insect can also spin very quickly around its own axis. As it rotates, it flaps its wings, which creates a buzzing sound that is similar to the sound of a gyroscope. This species ranges from 15–24 mm (0.59–0.94 in) in length. Three physical features make it easy to identify: its striking abdomen marked with yellow and black stripes, and its labrum that is extended into a narrow beak. Bembix rostrata has a distribution that extends from Europe and the Mediterranean region to Central Asia, and reaches as far north as Denmark and Sweden.
