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

It is very wonderful that Mrs. Digger-Wasp knows where to sting a caterpillar in order to paralyze it and yet not kill it.

From Project Gutenberg

Well, Mrs. Digger-Wasp stings one or more of these little knots, which we call ganglia.

From Project Gutenberg

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

From Project Gutenberg

The young digger-wasp set to work upon the grasshopper, and the little ichneumon began to eat the wasp-grub.

From Project Gutenberg