Beewolf
Facts
Also known as: Bee-hunter, Burrowing Wasp, Philanthus
Conservation Status: Vulnerable
Location: Britain, Europe, and Northern Africa.
Lifespan: Average 40 days
Also known as: Bee-hunter, Burrowing Wasp, Philanthus
Conservation Status: Vulnerable
Location: Britain, Europe, and Northern Africa.
Lifespan: Average 40 days
Scientific Classification
Kingdom: Animalia
Phylum: Arthropoda
Class: Insecta
Order: Hymenoptera
Family: Crabronidae
Subfamily: Philanthinae
Genus: Philanthus
Kingdom: Animalia
Phylum: Arthropoda
Class: Insecta
Order: Hymenoptera
Family: Crabronidae
Subfamily: Philanthinae
Genus: Philanthus
Description
Subspecies
The genus Philanthus contains about 170 species, some of which are listed here:
The genus Philanthus contains about 170 species, some of which are listed here:
- Philanthus albopilosus (a.k.a. P. simillimus)
- Philanthus albopilosus albopilosus
- Philanthus albopilosus manuelito
- Philanthus arizonicus
- Philanthus boharti (Bohart's beewolf)
- Philanthus coarctatus (a.k.a. P. niloticus)
- Philanthus coarctatus coarctatus
- Philanthus coarctatus raptor (robber philanthus)
- Philanthus coarctatus siculus
- Philanthus coronatus (crowned philanthus)
- Philanthus coronatus coronatus
- Philanthus coronatus orientalis
- Philanthus crabroniformis
- Philanthus gibbosus
- Philanthus parkeri (Parker's beewolf)
- Philanthus politus
- Philanthus psyche
- Philanthus pulchellus
- Philanthus serrulatae (a.k.a. P. siouxensis)
- Philanthus solivagus
- Philanthus stygius
- Philanthus stygius stygius
- Philanthus stygius atronitens
- Philanthus tarsatus
- Philanthus triangulum (European beewolf)
- Philanthus ventralis (a.k.a. Ococletes ventralis)
Behaviour
The adult females dig tunnels in the ground for nesting, while the territorial males mark twigs and other objects with pheromones to claim the territory from competing males. The female Beewolf preys on bees, of which the female then lays her eggs on the bee, supplying food for her larvae. The adults collect nectar from flowers or from squeezing bees they capture for prey. The Beewolf burrows into the sand and clay to build a huge network of tunnels and chambers under the surface.
The adult females dig tunnels in the ground for nesting, while the territorial males mark twigs and other objects with pheromones to claim the territory from competing males. The female Beewolf preys on bees, of which the female then lays her eggs on the bee, supplying food for her larvae. The adults collect nectar from flowers or from squeezing bees they capture for prey. The Beewolf burrows into the sand and clay to build a huge network of tunnels and chambers under the surface.
Predators or Prey?
The only predator that the Beewolf could have are humans. This is because Beewolves prey of honey bees, which ruins beekeepers production of honey. This makes Beewolves pests to beekeepers. They are notable in stinging their prey in a membranous location on the ventral surface where the venom quickly paralyzes major voluntary muscles, yet does not kill the prey. The prey may attempt to sting in return, but it is always grabbed in such a way that only well-armored portions of the beewolf's body are presented. The female Beewolf preys on bees, of which the female then lays her eggs on the bee, supplying food for her larvae.
The only predator that the Beewolf could have are humans. This is because Beewolves prey of honey bees, which ruins beekeepers production of honey. This makes Beewolves pests to beekeepers. They are notable in stinging their prey in a membranous location on the ventral surface where the venom quickly paralyzes major voluntary muscles, yet does not kill the prey. The prey may attempt to sting in return, but it is always grabbed in such a way that only well-armored portions of the beewolf's body are presented. The female Beewolf preys on bees, of which the female then lays her eggs on the bee, supplying food for her larvae.
Diet
The nectar is the Beewolf's energy source for flight. This can be taken from flowers, or squeezed from the bees that they capture.
The nectar is the Beewolf's energy source for flight. This can be taken from flowers, or squeezed from the bees that they capture.
Habitat
The Beewolf is found in the UK, Europe, and Northern Africa. This means that the habitat of the Beewolf is desert and grassy lands.
The Beewolf is found in the UK, Europe, and Northern Africa. This means that the habitat of the Beewolf is desert and grassy lands.
Conservation
The species probably reached its peak abundance in about 2005 when there were several aggregations on the western heaths of Surrey containing up to 10,000 nests. Since then it has declined, partly due to wet summers in 2008 and 2009, but also probably due to the crash in the Honeybee population.
The species probably reached its peak abundance in about 2005 when there were several aggregations on the western heaths of Surrey containing up to 10,000 nests. Since then it has declined, partly due to wet summers in 2008 and 2009, but also probably due to the crash in the Honeybee population.
Reproduction
The female Beewolf produces eggs of their captured bees. This provides the larvae with food once they have hatched from the eggs.
The female Beewolf produces eggs of their captured bees. This provides the larvae with food once they have hatched from the eggs.