Scientific name: Philanthus triangulum
One of our largest and most impressive solitary wasps, the bee wolf digs a nest in sandy spots and hunts honey bees.
StatisticsLength: up to 17 mm
When to seeJuly to September
AboutThe bee wolf (sometimes beewolf or bee-wolf) is a large solitary wasp, most often found on sandy areas of lowland heath and coastal dunes. They used to be extremely rare, with just a few scattered populations in southern England, but in the last few decades they have expanded their range dramatically.
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.
Female bee wolves have to work a lot harder, digging a nesting burrow in a sandy bank or floor. These burrows can be a metre long, with up to 34 side burrows that end in brood chambers. Once excavation has begun on the burrow, the female goes hunting.
Female bee wolves prey on honey bee workers, paralysing them with a sting and carrying them back to their burrow. 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.
How to identifyA large 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.
DistributionFound widely across southern Britain, with largest concentrations in the south and east, but recorded as far north as Lancashire.
Did you know?Once a female bee wolf has taken a paralysed honey bee back to her nest, she covers it in a special chemical she secretes, which helps prevent dangerous bacteria and fungi from growing and killing the larva. The bee wolf egg itself also releases a gas that inhibits the growth of potentially dangerous fungi.
How people can helpSolitary bees and wasps, along with many of our other, often-overlooked insects, are important pollinators for all kinds of plants, including those which we rely on like fruit trees. The Wildlife Trusts recognise the importance of healthy habitats to support all kinds of species throughout the food chain, so look after many nature reserves for the benefit of wildlife.
You can help too: support your local Wildlife Trust through membership or volunteering - you could be involved with anything from coppicing to craft-making, stockwatching to surveying.