Post by nomad on Oct 22, 2017 18:45:39 GMT
The Bee Wolf, Philanthus triangulum, Fabricius1775.
A predator that inhabits the heathland at Thursley NNR is the Bee Wolf, Philanthus triangulum, the largest UK solitary wasp. This eye-catching insect feeds almost exclusively on worker honey bees, but will take other insects, as can be seen in the second photograph.
If I had known the identity of these wasps at the time of my visit, I would have certainly spent more time by their nest holes in a sandy track on the heath, to await individuals bringing the usual prey item, honey bees and hopefully photograph them in action. Photography was difficult at this time due to bright sunshine.
What is really remarkable about P. triangulum, is that up until the early 1990s it was considered an extreme rarity in Britain, a Red Data books species that was confined to a few sites such as Thursley but since then there has been a huge extension of its range in suitable habitats in England, where it can be occasionally locally common. The colony of this solitary wasp was situated in a sandy track that was being used by off terrain bicycles, horse riders and walkers. I observed that some of these solitary wasps seemed to be trying to find and excavate their holes that were already in use, and had been covered up by such human usage. As one wasp looked down a larder hole, it was met with another powerful set of jaws, the owner was in residence. A nice bit of social interaction.
Below. Philanthus triangulum at Thursley heathland. August 2017.
Below. Thursley Heathland. Habitat of Philanthus triangulum.
A predator that inhabits the heathland at Thursley NNR is the Bee Wolf, Philanthus triangulum, the largest UK solitary wasp. This eye-catching insect feeds almost exclusively on worker honey bees, but will take other insects, as can be seen in the second photograph.
If I had known the identity of these wasps at the time of my visit, I would have certainly spent more time by their nest holes in a sandy track on the heath, to await individuals bringing the usual prey item, honey bees and hopefully photograph them in action. Photography was difficult at this time due to bright sunshine.
What is really remarkable about P. triangulum, is that up until the early 1990s it was considered an extreme rarity in Britain, a Red Data books species that was confined to a few sites such as Thursley but since then there has been a huge extension of its range in suitable habitats in England, where it can be occasionally locally common. The colony of this solitary wasp was situated in a sandy track that was being used by off terrain bicycles, horse riders and walkers. I observed that some of these solitary wasps seemed to be trying to find and excavate their holes that were already in use, and had been covered up by such human usage. As one wasp looked down a larder hole, it was met with another powerful set of jaws, the owner was in residence. A nice bit of social interaction.
Below. Philanthus triangulum at Thursley heathland. August 2017.
Below. Thursley Heathland. Habitat of Philanthus triangulum.
