Some
concerns have been mentioned about the "bees" which invade our
bunkers every year. They are actually Bembix Sand Wasps and pose no threat to
humans. The are quite docile! I have copied this article I found from another
superintendent, Tom Kaplun of North Hempstead Country Club. Remember , our
staff maintains the bunkers daily and we are constantly disturbing them. NOT
ONE STING!
"For a
few weeks every year we have little friends make homes in our sand traps. These
fast fliers are officially known as the Bembix Sand Wasp. They dig numerous
burrows in soft sand (ie- bunkers) to lay their eggs. Juvenile wasps, known as
larvae, emerge from the eggs where they remain in the sand and grow into adults.
Adult females congregate together in large numbers when making nests to bait
their prey. The higher populations of larvae in nesting sites attract flies,
beetles, caterpillars and grasshopper. These insects are captured by the female
sand wasp and taken back to the sand burrows to be fed to the growing larvae.
The
existence of these critters in the bunkers is a nuisance to golfers but
beneficial to the the course as they help to control the population of flies
and detrimental turf beetles by preying on them.
The
greatest concern for golfers is that they will get stung by these wasps when
entering a bunker to play a shot.
Studies have proven that this particular wasp is not aggressive and of
no harm to humans. Both male and females
wasps will not sting humans unless they are stepped on or smashed between your
hands. When approached by a human the
sand wasp will initially swarm, looking for food, and then go back to their
burrows to protect their larvae.
It may be
a distraction when trying to play a shot from a bunker but keep in mind,
bunkers are hazards and populations will dissipate in September when new adults
emerge from the sand."