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digger wasp
noun
: a burrowing wasp
especially
: any of numerous usually solitary wasps (superfamily Sphecoidea) that dig nest burrows in the soil and provision them with insects or spiders paralyzed by stinging
Examples of digger wasp in a Sentence
Recent Examples on the Web
Cicada killer wasps, also known as the eastern cicada killer or cicada hawks, are a species of the large digger wasp that preys on cicadas.
—
Emily Deletter, USA TODAY, 17 Apr. 2024
Such is the life of the Australian plague locust, a common pest that is targeted by the black digger wasp.
—
Ed Yong, Discover Magazine, 26 Oct. 2011
However, your photo does look similar to a great golden digger wasp which in spite of its large size is not particularly aggressive.
—
oregonlive, 16 Aug. 2020
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Word History
First Known Use
1880, in the meaning defined above
Dictionary Entries Near digger wasp
Cite this Entry
“Digger wasp.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/digger%20wasp. Accessed 8 Feb. 2025.
Kids Definition
digger wasp
noun
dig·ger wasp
ˈdig-ər-
: a burrowing wasp
especially
: one that digs nests in the soil and stocks them with insects or spiders paralyzed by stinging
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