#philanthus

European beewolf (Philanthus triangulum)

This here is a wasp in the genus Philanthus, commonly called bee wolves because most species in this genus capture bees and feed them to their carnivorous larvae.

European Beewolf (Philanthus triangulum)

Also sometimes known as the Bee-eating Philanthus, the European Beewolf is a species of solitary Crabronid wasp that is native to Europe and Northern Africa. Unlike what P. triangulum's common name might suggest adults are actually herbivores and will feed on nectar and pollen. Only inseminated females will hunt down bees, specifically Western Honey Bees (Apis mellifera), and paralyze them. Once paralyzed the female will place the bee in an underground chamber along with an egg. The bee will serve as food for the wasp larvae once it hatches.

Although many other members of the genus Philanthus will hunt various species of bees Philanthus triangulum is unique in that it is the only species to specialize in one bee species

Classification

Animalia-Arthropoda-Insecta-Hymenoptera-Crabronidae-Philanthinae-Philanthus-P. triangulum