About Podalonia hirsuta (Scopoli, 1763)
Podalonia hirsuta is similar to sand wasps of the genus Ammophila. It has a large black head, a black thorax, and a threadlike waist called a petiole. Its abdomen is black, with a broad red-orange band. Females of this species dig burrow nests in sandy areas. They generally hunt large, hairless noctuid moth caterpillars as prey, laying their eggs on the paralyzed caterpillars. Female flight activity occurs from late March to mid-September, while males fly from June to September. This species is present across most of Europe. It is primarily a coastal species, most often found in sandy soils.
