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TranslatePhilanthus triangulum
Philanthus Triangulum, (Fabricius, 1775) Commonly known as the “Bee Wolf”
Body length 8-17mm (Females are larger than the males)
Family: Crabronidae
Body length 8-17mm
Season May-September (July to September the more North you go in Europe)
Habitat Mainly along coastlines including dunes and lowland heathlands. Nests are constructed in sandy soils and the Bee-Wolf is often seen nectaring on various flowers. The males have set territories close together known as a “Lek” ( A Lek is an aggregation of male animals to entice visiting females to survey their prospective partner for copulation) they will not come into physical conflict with each other, allowing the female to make her own choice of mate.
The Philanthus Triangulum female mainly preys on Western Honey Bees.
Philanthus Triangulum, mainly known as the European Beewolf.
The bee-eating Philanthus, is a solitary wasp that lives in Europe and Northern Africa. Although the adults of the species are herbivores, (feeding on nectar and pollen) the species derives its name from the behaviour of the inseminated females, who hunt the Honey bee (Apis Mellifera). The female paralyses her prey and carries them upside down to her nest. Here she will place up to several paralised prey together with an egg, within a small underground chamber. In a short time, the egg will hatch into a larva and will be able to feed on the unfortunate honey bees.
Read MoreBody length 8-17mm (Females are larger than the males)
Family: Crabronidae
Body length 8-17mm
Season May-September (July to September the more North you go in Europe)
Habitat Mainly along coastlines including dunes and lowland heathlands. Nests are constructed in sandy soils and the Bee-Wolf is often seen nectaring on various flowers. The males have set territories close together known as a “Lek” ( A Lek is an aggregation of male animals to entice visiting females to survey their prospective partner for copulation) they will not come into physical conflict with each other, allowing the female to make her own choice of mate.
The Philanthus Triangulum female mainly preys on Western Honey Bees.
Philanthus Triangulum, mainly known as the European Beewolf.
The bee-eating Philanthus, is a solitary wasp that lives in Europe and Northern Africa. Although the adults of the species are herbivores, (feeding on nectar and pollen) the species derives its name from the behaviour of the inseminated females, who hunt the Honey bee (Apis Mellifera). The female paralyses her prey and carries them upside down to her nest. Here she will place up to several paralised prey together with an egg, within a small underground chamber. In a short time, the egg will hatch into a larva and will be able to feed on the unfortunate honey bees.
