Philanthus bilunatus

Classification

Phylum: Arthropoda
Subphylum: Hexapoda
Class: Insecta
Order: Hymenoptera
Family: Crabronidae
Subfamily: Philanthinae
Tribe: Philanthini
Genus: Philanthus
Species: bilunatus

Pronunciation

How to pronounce Philanthus bilunatus: /fɪˈlænθəs baɪljuˈneɪtəs/

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Summary

Philanthus bilunatus is a North American wasp belonging to the Philanthidae family. These wasps are characterized by their distinctive coloration and their nesting habits in sandy soil. They specifically target sweat bees for their diet and play a role in local ecosystems as pollinators.

Physical Characteristics

7 to 11 mm long. Smooth metasoma, crescent-shaped yellow spots on tergum 2. Head is black with a long, thin yellow mark behind the eyes (sometimes absent) and a lower yellow face. The female has a small spot above antenna bases; the male has a large spot. Mandibles are yellow with black tips. The antenna has a yellow scape with a black stripe, while segments are black; males may have yellow on the underside of 1st and/or 2nd segments. Thorax has a yellow stripe that is broken at center and a yellow bar across it with yellow tubercle on the sides. Wings are slightly tinted reddish with a blackish tegula. Abdomen is black and shiny with small yellow dots on segment 1 and wide inverted U-shaped yellow marks on segment 2, with narrow yellow stripes on segments 3 to 5 or 6.

Identification Tips

Look for the crescent-shaped yellow spots on tergum 2, small yellow dot on each side of segment 1, and the distinctive yellow markings on the face and thorax. Males can be identified by their larger spot above the antenna bases.

Habitat

Sandy, flat locations and sand dunes.

Distribution

Northern U.S. and eastern Canada.

Diet

Larvae feed on Sweat Bees such as Halictus ligatus, Halictus confusus, Lasioglossum leucozonium, and Augochlorella aurata.

Life Cycle

Females nest in sand, forming 3 to 4 cells per nest, each containing 7 to 8 small bees. Females sleep in nests, closing the entrance from the inside.

Reproduction

Females lay eggs in the cells of their nests, which provide food for the developing larvae.

Ecosystem Role

Pollinator, as it feeds on and contributes to the life cycle of its prey and other local flora through its foraging behavior.