Definition

1. Noun:
   • A type of solitary wasp: A digger wasp is a solitary wasp that digs nests in the ground. It paralyzes insects or spiders and places them in the nest as food for its developing larvae.

Usage Examples

• Noun:
  • We observed a digger wasp carrying a paralyzed caterpillar to its burrow.
  • The garden soil is full of small holes made by digger wasps.

Advanced Usage

• Ecological role: Digger wasps are often discussed in the context of biological pest control, as they hunt other insects.
  • Farmers appreciate digger wasps for their role in controlling caterpillar populations.

Variants and Related Words

• Sphecid wasp: A scientific family name (Sphecidae) that includes many digger wasp species.
  • The thread-waisted wasp is a common type of sphecid, or digger wasp.

Synonyms

• Solitary wasp: A general term for wasps that do not live in colonies, which includes digger wasps.
• Hunting wasp: A descriptive term emphasizing its behavior of hunting prey for its larvae.

Related Phrases

• To provision a nest: The specific behavior of a digger wasp stocking its nest with food.
  • The female digger wasp will provision the nest with several paralyzed insects.

Noun

1. solitary wasp that digs nests in the soil and stocks them with paralyzed insects for the larvae