Philanthus triangulum Insect Wasp Solitary Beewolf Bumblebee Hymenoptera Crabronidae

Philanthus triangulum cm 1-1.5 Insect Wasp Solitary Beewolf Bumblebee Hymenoptera Crabronid.
Common name: European Beewolf, Bee-Killer Wasp or Bee-Eating Philanthus.
Family: Crabronidae.
Syn. Philanthus abdelcader, Philanthus allionii, Philanthus apivorus, Philanthus discolor, Philanthus pictus, Crabro androgynus, Philanthus ruspatrix, Simblephilus triangulum, Sphex scutellatus, Vespa fasciata, Vespa limbata, Vespa ruspatrix, Vespa triangulum.

Although the adults of the species are herbivores (feeding on nectar and pollen), the species derives its name from the behavior of the inseminated females, who hunt Western honey bees.
The female places several of its paralyzed prey together with an egg in a small underground chamber, to serve as food for the wasp larvae. All members of the genus Philanthus hunt various species of bees, but P. triangulum is apparently the only one that specializes in Western honey bees.