Nesting Behavior of Ammophila harti (Fernald) (Hymenoptera: Sphecidae)

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Abstract
The nesting behavior of Ammophila harti was studied during 1982-1984 in a sandly region of central New York [USA]. Two to three generations occurred per year. First generation females were more active in the morning while second generation females were equally active in the morning and afternoon; in addition, the activity rate (observed behaviors/female/hr) of second generation females was greater than that of first generation females. Females maintained several nests simultaneously; first generation females maintained fewer nests per week but more nests per lifetime than second generation females. The nest was short and unicellar, contained a single wasp larva, and was provisioned progressively with mostly Geometridae and Noctuidae larvae over several days. Cell depth decreased over the summer and was influenced by the moisture content of the sand; nests located in wetter sand were consistently shallower than nests located in drier sand. Use of nests different between generations with more use occurring in the first generation. Active success (nests containing wasp progeny/nests used) and reproductive efficiency (nests containing wasp progeny/all constructed nests) were equal in both generations. The sex ratio of the wasp progeny of each generation differed; a 1:3.13 ratio (males: females) occurred in the first generation progeny and a 1.2:1 ratio in the second generation progeny.