Will they visit?: Spider Wasps frequently visit home gardens
Natural Distribution: Common and widespread throughout the South West and Perth region
20140411 020 Mating wasps. (C)Sian Mawson
Scoliidae – (CC)Jean Hort. This work is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 Australia License (Atlas of Living Australia)
Tiphiidae – (CC)Helen Parton. This work is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 Australia License (Atlas of Living Australia)
Tiphiidae – (CC)Linda Rogan. This work is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 Australia License (Atlas of Living Australia)
Habitat at a Glance
See Habitat Guide for more detail
Shelter: Burrows and under dense leaf litter
Diet: Males feed in nectar, females on other insects
Water: Shallow bird baths and large ponds
ReWild Benefit: Pest control and pollination
Habitat Guide - Shelter
Natural Shelter
Female Flower Wasps enjoy hiding in thick leaf litter, underneath lawn, and in thick undergrowth. Meanwhile, the male will live above ground in search of flowers. In some species the male will actively feed a female living in the soil. In other species, the male may be seen carrying the wingless female to new locations in search of food.
Novel Shelter
Not required.
Habitat Guide - Food and Water
Providing natural sources of food
The winged males are primarily nectar feeders while the wingless female lives on the ground in search of beetle larvae. Many species of plants such as banksia, grevillea, eucalypts and flowering annuals are popular. A thick layer of mulch and leaf litter will provide females with additional foraging habitat.
Avoid commercial non-native seeds advertised for bee gardens. These plants may not be suitable for native wasps and have the potential to become serious weeds.
Providing sources of water
Flower wasps will visit bird baths and ponds for a drink. Wasps run the risk of drowning if they fall into a bird bath or pond. Placing partially submerged rocks or sticks will provide an avenue for a bee to safely leave the water.
ReWild Benefits
Flower wasps are not aggressive, but will sting if handled. Native wasps are critical in sustaining local biodiversity as they can pollinate a greater variety of native plants compared to honeybees. Similarly, they prey on pest species such as flies. If you see this wasp in your garden, you can record your sighting on the Atlas of Living Australia.
