The Formidable Bee Wolf
At the end of August I spotted a male Bee Wolf wasp (Philanthus triangulum) on an Astrantia flower in our Staffordshire garden; soon followed by this impressive female. They hunt Honey Bees which they paralyse with a sting and use to provision the brood chambers in their nest burrows. This is the first time I've seen Bee Wolf wasps in our garden, the female is out largest solitary wasp.
At the end of August I spotted a male Bee Wolf wasp (Philanthus triangulum) on an Astrantia flower in our Staffordshire garden; soon followed by this impressive female. They hunt Honey Bees which they paralyse with a sting and use to provision the brood chambers in their nest burrows. This is the first time I've seen Bee Wolf wasps in our garden, the female is out largest solitary wasp.
© Ed Phillips 2026
Leave a comment