Arthropods Daily – Issue No. 9

The European beewolf is a solitary wasp species with yellow and black markings. It is mainly found in areas of sandy ground such as heathland and coastal dunes, but can also be found in clay areas. It has a wide distribution from Scandinavia to South Africa and has five recognized subspecies. The females excavate burrows and hunt honey bees to paralyze and bring back to their nests. The wasps have evolved strategies to protect their offspring against pathogens. The males set up territories near female nesting aggregations. The adult wasps feed on nectar from various plants. The European beewolf was previously rare in Britain but has expanded its range and is now locally common.