Bee Hunter!
The Bee Wolf (Philanthus triangulum) is a large solitary wasp, with a dark thorax and a yellow abdomen with black stripes. The face is yellow, but the back of the head is a dark reddish brown behind the eyes. The antennae are very thick. Bee Wolves used to be considered rare in the UK, but currently the species is locally common to abundant in a steadily increasing number of sites in southern England, and is increasing its range. The largest concentrations are in the south and east, but it is recorded as far north as Lancashire, and even into Wales. It is a joy to have these beauties nesting in the pavement opposite our house! Generally, they inhabit sand dunes and lowland heaths, but there is a known aggregation in Christchurch Park in Ipswich!
The Bee Wolf is on the wing from early July to mid-September. The major prey species throughout the world range of this wasp is the worker honey bee (Apis mellifera), and in some regions the wasp may greatly reduce the local populations. There are, however, reports of other bees being utilised: for example in Britain, Andrena flavipes and Lasioglossum zonulus, and a Nomada sp.
The Bee Wolf nests in both level sandy exposures and in vertical soil faces. Some nesting aggregations may number as many as 15,000 burrows. The main nest burrow may be up to 1 m in length, with 3-34 short lateral burrows at the end, each terminating in a brood chamber. Up to six paralysed honey bees are placed in each brood chamber, then a single egg is laid on one of the bees and the chamber is sealed with sand. After hatching, the larva feeds on the cache of honey bees before spinning a cocoon to hibernate through winter, ready to emerge in spring.
Male bee wolves gather together in a form of lek, where each male defends a small territory and uses pheromones to attract a female. After this, males play no further part in the nesting process. It is the female bee wolves who dig the nesting burrow. Once excavation has begun on the burrow, the female goes hunting. The prey is paralysed by being stung through the articular membranes immediately behind the front legs. Returning females, clutching the prey with their legs, often hover above the nest burrow before slowly descending to it.
Nectar sources include bramble, sea-holly, heather, thrift, pale toadflax, common ragwort, hemp-agrimony and creeping thistle.
Bee Hunter!
The Bee Wolf (Philanthus triangulum) is a large solitary wasp, with a dark thorax and a yellow abdomen with black stripes. The face is yellow, but the back of the head is a dark reddish brown behind the eyes. The antennae are very thick. Bee Wolves used to be considered rare in the UK, but currently the species is locally common to abundant in a steadily increasing number of sites in southern England, and is increasing its range. The largest concentrations are in the south and east, but it is recorded as far north as Lancashire, and even into Wales. It is a joy to have these beauties nesting in the pavement opposite our house! Generally, they inhabit sand dunes and lowland heaths, but there is a known aggregation in Christchurch Park in Ipswich!
The Bee Wolf is on the wing from early July to mid-September. The major prey species throughout the world range of this wasp is the worker honey bee (Apis mellifera), and in some regions the wasp may greatly reduce the local populations. There are, however, reports of other bees being utilised: for example in Britain, Andrena flavipes and Lasioglossum zonulus, and a Nomada sp.
The Bee Wolf nests in both level sandy exposures and in vertical soil faces. Some nesting aggregations may number as many as 15,000 burrows. The main nest burrow may be up to 1 m in length, with 3-34 short lateral burrows at the end, each terminating in a brood chamber. Up to six paralysed honey bees are placed in each brood chamber, then a single egg is laid on one of the bees and the chamber is sealed with sand. After hatching, the larva feeds on the cache of honey bees before spinning a cocoon to hibernate through winter, ready to emerge in spring.
Male bee wolves gather together in a form of lek, where each male defends a small territory and uses pheromones to attract a female. After this, males play no further part in the nesting process. It is the female bee wolves who dig the nesting burrow. Once excavation has begun on the burrow, the female goes hunting. The prey is paralysed by being stung through the articular membranes immediately behind the front legs. Returning females, clutching the prey with their legs, often hover above the nest burrow before slowly descending to it.
Nectar sources include bramble, sea-holly, heather, thrift, pale toadflax, common ragwort, hemp-agrimony and creeping thistle.