digger wasp

noun

1. any of numerous solitary wasps of the family Sphecidae, which excavate nests in soil, wood, etc., and provision them with prey paralyzed by stinging.

digger wasp

noun

1. any solitary wasp of the families Sphecidae and Pamphilidae that digs nest holes in the ground, rotten wood, or a hollow stem and stocks them with live insects for the larvae

Word History and Origins

Origin of digger wasp¹

First recorded in 1840–50

Example Sentences

And field digger wasps are duped into trying to mate with the northern European fly orchid due to the flower's resemblance to a female wasp's beautiful back.

From National Geographic

Chesterton's method in writing it is that of the digger wasp.

From Project Gutenberg