Beewolf-parasite
Guides
Hedychridium dimidiatum
Hedychridium dimidiatum is a species of cuckoo wasp in the family Chrysididae. These small, brilliantly metallic wasps are nest parasites of predatory solitary wasps, particularly beewolves in the genus Philanthus. The species has been documented as a suspected parasite of Philanthus gibbosus in North America. Like other chrysidids, females enter host nests to lay eggs, and when threatened can roll into a tight ball where their dense, sculptured cuticle protects them from stings and bites.
Taxigramma hilarella
Taxigramma hilarella is a species of satellite fly in the family Sarcophagidae, subfamily Miltogramminae. These flies are kleptoparasites that target the nests of solitary wasps, particularly beewolves (Philanthus spp.). Females follow host wasps back to their burrows and deposit larvae at the nest entrance; the larvae then enter and parasitize the wasp larvae. The species has been recorded from Scandinavia and Denmark.