Harry
Your insect is one of the sand wasps that I believe is in the genus Stictiella. This group of wasps dig holes in sand to make their nests. They then catch a butterfly, a skipper butterfly from what little information I could find, which they sting to paralyze, put it in the nest, then lay an egg on the butterfly. The 'live' food is there for the larvae to feed on.
Interesting find. Great photo.
Can anyone identify this insect? by: Harry Stone
It was on the shady side of the wall ... trying to stay cool?
