The Beewolf is a solitary, predatory wasp which is sometimes known as the Bee-Hunter.
The species found in the UK targets Honey Bees, the females dig tunnels in the sand, whilst the males hunt Bees.
The male sting is capable of paralysing a Honey Bee which it then carries back to the female. It has armoured sections on its body which prevent the Bee stinging the wasp.
The paralysed bees are then taken down into the tunnels and stored till needed. The female will build a brood chamber at the end of the tunnels which she will stock with Bees and then lay her eggs. Up to 6 bees have been found in a single brood chamber. When the eggs hatch out the bees provided a readily available source of food
photo by Orangeaurochs (https://www.flickr.com/photos/orangeaurochs/)
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