Bee Wolf

The Bee Wolf is one of the largest (up to 17 mm) and most spectacular solitary wasp species in Britain. It can be distinguished by the unfolded wings and thickened antennae. The abdomen and face are extensively yellow and the back of the head behind the eyes is reddish-brown. The wing venation will confirm identification. Most solitary bees and wasps are difficult to identify, and can rarely be identified from photos taken in the field. All red-rated records should include a photo or set of photos of the specimen, illustrating the key characters taken from a standard key, which should also be referenced (e.g. ‘Falk, 2015’). The full set of key characters are generally not visible in field photos and photos are rarely sharp enough. To aid in the verification of your records, please include face shot, side, top and wings. The notes should state whether male or female, and explain how the specimen met the key characters. Although NS may not be able to identify the species even if these reference photos are provided, the photos will be stored with the record and may allow it be identified in future. Alternatively, NS will accept records identified by a recognised local or national expert, or that have been identified via BWARS Facebook Group . If you have obtained this advice, please note the name of the person/organisation identifying the record in the ‘determiner’ field (e.g. ‘Stuart Roberts, BWARS Facebook’) rather than just a comment of ‘BWARS Facebook’. Generally, sand dunes and lowland heaths. However, nesting aggregations have recently been found in a park in Ipswich, Suffolk, and on the Battersea Bridge roundabout, Greater London. The major prey species throughout the world range of this wasp is the worker honey bee (Apis mellifera). In the 1990s this species was considered to be one of the great aculeate rarities in Britain. Records for the last few years indicate that currently the species is increasingly common in a steadily increasing number of sites in southern England.