On Wed, 9 Apr 1997 09:01:14 -0400 James D Satterfield
<[log in to unmask]> writes:
>My son observed "hundreds" of wasps flying low over a lawn.  The wasps
>were apparently flying in "searching" patterns, perhaps a breeding
>aggregation.  They were dark in coloration, predominantly black.
 
Jim:
 
Don't know for sure, but they may be in the family 'ichneumonidae',
couldn't say if that is the right 'family'.
 
We have some that like the partially sandy soil in our front lawn. They
dig a hole like a dog with the dirt flying out. Then they lay an egg,
bring
in a nice juicy live (but stunned) green bug and shove that in the hole
and then plug it up. The bug must be for the larvae to feed on.
 
Maybe one of our BEE-L Science types can be more accurate.
 
Al
 
Al Needham--Scituate,MA,[log in to unmask]
Author Of "The HoneyBee"--An Educational Program
Visit "Learn About Honey Bees And Beekeeping"
At:  -  http://www.xensei.com/users/alwine