Philanthus
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 The European beewolf, Philanthus triangulum
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The genus Philanthus of the subfamilly Philanthinae is in the family Crabronidae. The genus consists of solitary, predatory wasps, most of which prey on bees, giving them the common name "beewolves." The adult females dig tunnels in the ground for nesting, while the territorial males mark twigs and other objects with pheromones to claim the territory from competing males.
As with all other sphecoid wasps the larvae are carnivorous, forcing the inseminated females to hunt for other invertebrates (in this case bees), on which she lays her eggs, supplying the larvae with prey when they emerge. The adults collect nectar from flowers or from squeezing the bees they capture for prey; the nectar is their energy source for flight. The prevalent European species, P. triangulum, specializes in preying upon honey bees, thus making it a minor pest for beekeepers. Other Philanthus species may specialize on other bee species, or they may be generalists which prey upon a wide variety of bees, or other types of Hymenoptera.
They are notable in stinging their prey in a membranous location on the ventral surface where the venom quickly paralyzes major voluntary muscles, yet does not kill the prey. The prey may attempt to sting in return, but it is always grabbed in such a way that only well-armored portions of the beewolf's body are presented. The beewolf carries the prey back to a tunnel, but usually only stores it temporarily, until it is later used to provision a cell burrow, where an egg is laid.
[edit] Species
The genus Philanthus contains about 170 species, only a very few of which are listed here.
- Philanthus barbatus
- Philanthus basilaris
- Philanthus bicinctus
- Philanthus boharti
- Philanthus crabroniformis
- Philanthus gibbosus
- Philanthus gloriosus
- Philanthus lepidus
- Philanthus multimaculatus
- Philanthus nasalis
- Philanthus politus
- Philanthus pulcher
- Philanthus sanborni
- Philanthus solivagus
- Philanthus triangulum
- Philanthus ventilabris
- Philanthus zebratus
