Yep, Tim, you were exactly right, the critters are scoliid wasps -- today,
they were hovering over some plants & the markings were clearly evident.

Anne Lurie
NE Raleigh

"Tim Rowles" wrote in message
...
On Thu, 21 Aug 2003 21:17:35 GMT, "Anne Lurie"
wrote:

Today, when I was watering some tomato plants in a raised bed filled with
soil-less mix, I noticed an insect digging a hole in the bed!

The thing was shiny blue/black, winged, and was happily digging away in
the
nice light "dirt" -- making a larger hole than I would have associated
with an insect if I hadn't seen the critter in action.


Female scoliid wasp looking for June beetle grubs?

http://www.ces.ncsu.edu/depts/ent/no.../note12/note12

-- Tim
trowles at rtmx dot net