Beewolf
Guides
Philanthus bicinctus
Bumble Bee Wolf, Bumblebee Wolf
Philanthus bicinctus, commonly known as the Bumblebee Wolf, is a species of beewolf wasp endemic to the American Rockies. This solitary wasp is notable for its specialized predation on bumblebees, which it paralyzes to provision underground nests for its larvae. Research conducted at Yellowstone National Park has documented large aggregations of this species and its significant potential to influence pollinator dynamics and insect-flower interactions. Males exhibit strong territorial behavior, defending hilltops and elevated areas to secure mating opportunities.
Philanthus bilunatus
Two Moons Beewolf
Philanthus bilunatus is a solitary wasp in the family Crabronidae, commonly known as the Two Moons Beewolf. Like other beewolves in the genus Philanthus, it is a predator of bees and wasps, which it paralyzes to provision underground nests for its larvae. The species is found in North America, with records from Canada and the United States. As a member of the subfamily Philanthinae, it shares behavioral traits with related beewolves including territorial males and nest excavation in sandy soils.
Philanthus crabroniformis
beewolf
Philanthus crabroniformis is a species of bee-hunting wasp, commonly known as a 'beewolf,' native to North America. The species belongs to the family Crabronidae and primarily preys upon bees in the family Halictidae. Females construct nests in sandy soils and provision them with paralyzed prey for their larval offspring. The species has been documented in sympatry with P. gibbosus, with which it shares similar prey preferences but exhibits distinctive nest approach behaviors that may represent an evolutionary response to parasitic pressure from miltogrammine flies.
Philanthus gloriosus
Bee-wolf
Philanthus gloriosus is a bee-hunting wasp in the family Crabronidae, occurring west of the 100th meridian in North America. As a member of the beewolf genus Philanthus, females hunt bees to provision underground nests for their larvae. The species ranges from the Canadian prairies through the western United States to central Mexico.
Philanthus lepidus
Pleasant Beewolf
Philanthus lepidus is a species of beewolf wasp in the family Crabronidae, native to North America. Like other members of the genus Philanthus, females are solitary hunters that provision underground nests with paralyzed bees as food for their larvae. The species has been the subject of limited behavioral study, with at least one published account of its nesting behavior. It is one of approximately 30 Philanthus species occurring in North America.
Philanthus multimaculatus
beewolf, bee-hunting wasp
Philanthus multimaculatus is a common North American beewolf wasp in the family Crabronidae. Females are solitary nesters that excavate burrows in sandy soil, often in aggregations with conspecifics. They provision nest cells with paralyzed bees, primarily sweat bees (Halictidae), and lay a single egg on each prey item. Males exhibit territorial behavior, perching on grass stems near nesting areas to intercept females and chase rival males. Adults visit flowers for nectar and serve as pollinators while also functioning as predators that regulate bee populations.
Philanthus pacificus
Pacific beewolf
Philanthus pacificus is a solitary wasp species in the beewolf genus Philanthus, native to western North America. As a member of the Crabronidae family, females are known to provision underground nests with paralyzed bees as food for their developing larvae. The species occurs from southwestern British Columbia through California to Baja California and Sonora, Mexico. Two subspecies are recognized: P. p. arizonae and the nominate P. p. pacificus.
Philanthus politus
beewolf
Philanthus politus is a species of beewolf wasp in the family Crabronidae, characterized by distinctive white striping. As a solitary hunting wasp, females prey on bees to provision underground nests for their larvae. The species is part of the diverse genus Philanthus, which contains approximately 30 species in North America and about 136 species worldwide.
Philanthus sanbornii
Sanborn's Beewolf
Philanthus sanbornii is a species of beewolf wasp in the family Crabronidae, native to North America. Unlike many congeners that specialize on bees, this species has been documented as a predator of flies (Diptera), particularly small muscoid flies. Females construct simple burrows in sandy soil, capture and paralyze prey, and provision nests for their larval offspring. A five-year study in eastern Massachusetts documented over 3,000 prey items from 108 species of bees and wasps, though subsequent research in Florida identified flies as the primary prey. The species exhibits selective prey capture based on temporal availability, spatial distribution, sex ratio, and body size of available prey.
Philanthus solivagus
Philanthus solivagus is a species of beewolf wasp in the family Crabronidae. It is found in North America, with records from Canada including Alberta. As a member of the genus Philanthus, it shares the characteristic behavior of preying on bees and other hymenopterans to provision nests for its larvae.
Philanthus ventilabris
Flat-collared Beewolf
Philanthus ventilabris is a solitary bee-hunting wasp ("beewolf") in the family Crabronidae. It occurs throughout North America and has been documented visiting flowers for nectar. Like other beewolves, females provision underground nests with paralyzed bees as food for their larvae. The species was first described by Fabricius in 1798.