Philanthus gloriosus
Cresson, 1865
Bee-wolf
Philanthus gloriosus is a -hunting in the Crabronidae, occurring west of the 100th meridian in North America. As a member of the beewolf Philanthus, females hunt bees to provision underground nests for their . The ranges from the Canadian prairies through the western United States to central Mexico.
Pronunciation
How to pronounce Philanthus gloriosus: /fɪˈlænθəs ɡlɔːriˈoʊsəs/
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Distribution
Found west of the 100th meridian in North America, from Medicine Hat, Alberta south across the High Plains and Rocky Mountains to the Mexican states of Chihuahua, Coahuila, Durango, San Luis Potosí, Hidalgo, Mexico City, and Puebla.
Diet
Females hunt and other as food for their larval offspring; feed on nectar.
Ecological Role
of and other ; contributes to regulation of bee . As a nectar-feeding , may also function as a .
Similar Taxa
- Philanthus gibbosusMost common North beewolf with similar appearance and ; P. gloriosus distinguished by geographic range (western vs. transcontinental)
- Philanthus triangulumEuropean beewolf that preys on honeybees; not to North America
- AphilanthopsRelated in same Philanthinae; distinguished by straight inner margins (vs. emarginated in Philanthus) and different ( rather than )
More Details
Taxonomic note
Described by Ezra Townsend Cresson in 1865. The epithet 'gloriosus' is Latin for 'glorious' or 'splendid', likely referring to the 's appearance.