Bee Wolf
Philanthus triangulum
Tap image to enlarge · Wikimedia Commons
Overview
The Bee Wolf is a large, striking solitary wasp that hunts Honey Bees — paralysing them with a sting and burying them in sand tunnels as food for larvae. The Sefton Coast dunes provide ideal nesting habitat on warm, sheltered sandy banks. Females are yellow and black with distinctive markings; they dig burrows in loose sand and make multiple trips carrying paralysed bees. Watching a Bee Wolf locate, sting and carry a bee as large as itself back to the burrow is extraordinary.
At a Glance
| Order | Hymenoptera |
| Family | Crabronidae |
| Habitat | South-facing sandy bank · Open dune · Sandy heathland |
| Diet | Adults: nectar. Females provision nests with paralysed Honey Bees as food for larvae. |
| UK population | Spreading northward from southern England as climate warms; now recorded in Lancashire |
| Sefton Coast | Present on suitable south-facing sandy banks in the dune system; relatively recent coloniser of the Sefton Coast |
| Conservation | UK Green List |
Where to See It
South-facing sandy banks in the dune system. Formby and Ainsdale. Hunts Honey Bees on flowering plants.
Identification
Large wasp to 18mm. Broad yellow bands on abdomen. Three yellow spots on thorax. Powerful build. Carries paralysed Honey Bees in flight, held under the body.
Viewing & Photography Tips
Look on warm, south-facing sandy banks in the dune system in August. Several females may nest close together forming a loose aggregation. Wait near a good flower patch and watch for the distinctive hunting behaviour.
Conservation Status
UK Green List
This species has a favourable conservation status in the UK and remains an important part of Sefton Coast biodiversity.
Frequently Asked Questions
How does the Bee Wolf find its nest burrow among thousands of identical sand grains?
The Bee Wolf learns the visual landmarks surrounding its nest entrance on each departure, flying in increasing spirals to memorise the pattern. Research by Niko Tinbergen (who won the Nobel Prize) showed that Bee Wolves use pine cone arrangements, stones and other objects as landmark arrays. If the landmarks are moved while the wasp is away, it searches at the old position — a classic demonstration of landmark navigation.
Plan your visit to the Sefton Coast
Marshside RSPB, Formby pinewoods, Ainsdale NNR — practical guides to getting there, what to bring, and the best spots for each season.