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Podalonia affinis (Kirby, 1798) - Mud Wasp.
Body Length 18 to 20mm
Family: Sphecidae.
Genus: Podalonia, is a genus of parasitoid wasps. Being closely related to the genus Ammophila (Sand wasps).
Season May to September.
Habitat: Favouring sandy soils, mainly near coastal regions, such as dunes and dry open heathlands, feeding on plants for nectar, such as Eryngium and Sedum. Images below will show the adult Podalonia affinis, feeding on the flowers of Eryngium Campestre (wild flower thistle) and Sedum sediforme.
The adult female will prey mainly on various moth larvae (Predominantly large noctuid caterpillars, sometimes the smaller larvae of the family Noctuidae Eremobia ochroleuca are also hunted) which she paralyses. The caterpillar is taken back to a previously constructed nest burrow (excavated in the soil), where she will lay her egg on the paralised caterpillar for her larva to feed on.
Podalonia females can be very hostile towards each other, particularly near their nesting sites; often leading to aggressive fighting which can last over a considerable time.
Podalonia affinis is widespread over much of Southern Europe and into North Africa, particularly countries bordering around the Mediterranean Sea. Further north you go, it becomes rare. As far North as the midlands in England it has been recorded, but it is mainly restricted to the south-east counties, close to the coast.
Read MoreBody Length 18 to 20mm
Family: Sphecidae.
Genus: Podalonia, is a genus of parasitoid wasps. Being closely related to the genus Ammophila (Sand wasps).
Season May to September.
Habitat: Favouring sandy soils, mainly near coastal regions, such as dunes and dry open heathlands, feeding on plants for nectar, such as Eryngium and Sedum. Images below will show the adult Podalonia affinis, feeding on the flowers of Eryngium Campestre (wild flower thistle) and Sedum sediforme.
The adult female will prey mainly on various moth larvae (Predominantly large noctuid caterpillars, sometimes the smaller larvae of the family Noctuidae Eremobia ochroleuca are also hunted) which she paralyses. The caterpillar is taken back to a previously constructed nest burrow (excavated in the soil), where she will lay her egg on the paralised caterpillar for her larva to feed on.
Podalonia females can be very hostile towards each other, particularly near their nesting sites; often leading to aggressive fighting which can last over a considerable time.
Podalonia affinis is widespread over much of Southern Europe and into North Africa, particularly countries bordering around the Mediterranean Sea. Further north you go, it becomes rare. As far North as the midlands in England it has been recorded, but it is mainly restricted to the south-east counties, close to the coast.
