Argogorytes mystaceus

Description

Argogorytes mystaceus is a species of solitary wasp in the family Crabronidae. This species has a Palearctic distribution occurring in most European countries from Ireland in the west and east to Siberia, Japan, Korea, China; south to Turkey. These wasps prefer deciduous woodland and hedge rows with sandy soil in sunny mountain areas with abundant flowering plants, at an elevation of over 1,000 metres (3,300 ft) above sea level. Argogorytes mystaceus can reach a length of 10–14 millimetres (0.39–0.55 in) in females, of 8–11 millimetres (0.31–0.43 in) in males. These medium-sized wasps have a black abdomen with a few yellow stripes and no petiole. In males antennae are very long. Mesothorax and scutellum are black. Legs are pale yellowish brown, with a black base.