Clytus arietis

Clytus arietis
Scientific classification
Kingdom:	Animalia
Phylum:	Arthropoda
Class:	Insecta
Order:	Coleoptera
Family:	Cerambycidae
Genus:	Clytus
Species:	C. arietis
Binomial name
Clytus arietis (Linnaeus, 1758)

C. arietis on blackberry

The wasp beetle, Clytus arietis, is a wasp-mimicking longhorn beetle species in the genus Clytus. It reaches 9–18 millimetres (0.35–0.71 in) in length, and flies well in sunshine from May to July, often visiting flowers for pollen and nectar. It is harmless but is protected by its wasp-like colours and movements, making it a Batesian mimic. The larvae live in dead wood. It also emanates a wasp buzz-like noise when threatened. They can be seen wandering around on flowers from late spring to early summer, and they are easily mistaken for wasps.