Philanthus triangulum (European beewulf)♀︎♂︎

Last update: 7 December 2024


Common

Species European beewulf (Philanthus triangulum)
Genus PHILANTHUS
Family PHILANTIDAE



Ecological role Predator + pollinator

Voltinism Univoltine
Activity
janfebmaraprmayjunjulaugsepoctnovdec

Observations
2022-VI-032021-VIII-062021-VIII-052021-IX-062021-IX-052020-VIII-282020-VIII-242020-VIII-212020-VIII-092020-IX-042019-VIII-302019-VIII-162016-VII-17
Months
JanFebMarAprMayJunJulAugSepOctNovDec
Years
20162019202020212022

Nesting strategy Endogeic
Nestarchitecture Broodcells





Last changes:
Added identification photo's, updated text


Official name:

Synonyms:

Philanthus triangulum [Soortenregister]

Vespa triangulum Fabricius, 1775


see more on: www.gbif.org

Etymology:

triangulum

European beewulf ♂︎ (Philanthus triangulum)

CONTENTS

1. Distribution
2. Behaviour
3. Plant relations
4. Prey relations
5. Parasitic relations
6. Identification

1. DISTRIBUTION

Philanthus triangulum is a common species in the Nederland [Waarneming.nl],[Peeters et al. 2004].

Garden species

Since 2019 the wasp is present in the garden every year. At the end of the day males often appear to dig a sleeping place in the sand. Females are attracted to the garden by the presence of Honeybees (Apis melifera) in the garden. On one occasion a female started digging extensively but never finished the nest.

2. BEHAVIOUR

2.1. ACTIVITY

The species is active from end of May up to the beginning of October [Soortenregister].

2.2. DEVELOPMENT

Nest

Nests are dug in sandy ground [Bohart & Menke 1976], sometimes in aggregations [Bohart & Menke 1976].

The nests can consist of 3 to 34 cells [Peeters et al. 2004], 3 to 6 prey specimen are used per cell [Peeters et al. 2004].

2.3. BEE HOTEL

The species does not make use of artificial nest help, not for nesting nor for sleeping.

2.4. HUNTING

The female hunts actively on Honey bees (Apis melifera).

Her hunting method follows a few steps:

  1. First she’ll fly a couple of times around the plant to observe the potential victims
  2. When she has found a victim she will drop down on her from flight
  3. In the following skirmish she’ll sting the victim to paralyse her
  4. After that she will hold the bee between her legs and jaws until it stops resiting.

In a personal observation I observed step 4 turned out to be difficult resulting in the prey to fall to the ground. These seemed to be accidents and not on purpose. After the prey had fallen to the ground she had no longer interest in it. After some days several paralysed or dead bees were lying under the plant where they were foraging and captured.

The venom of the species has a permanent paralysing effect on the bees [Piek 2012].

Honey bee ♀︎ (Apis mellifera), dead victim of European beewulf

3. PLANT RELATIONS

3.1. FOOD PLANTS

The following plant species are mentioned in literature as food sources:

Apiaceae
(Umbellifers)

Falcaria
Falcaria vulgaris (Sickelweed) [Blösch 2000]
Asteraceae
(Composite family)

Cirisium (Plume thistles) [Blösch 2000]

Solidago (Guldenroede)
– Solidago gigantea (Giant goldenrod) [own observation]

Tanacetum

Tanacetum vulgare (Tansy) [Blösch 2000]
Ericaceae
Calluna [Blösch 2000]
Lamiaceae
Mentha
Mentha suaveolens (Apple mint) [own observation]

Thymus (Thyme) [Blösch 2000]
Onagraceae
(Willowherb family)

Epilobium (Willowherbs) [Blösch 2000]
Rhamnaceae
(Buckthorn family)

Rhamnus (Buckthorns) [Klein 1999]
Rosaceae
(Rose family)

Rubus (Blackberry) [Blösch 2000]
Table 3.1-1: Food plants in the Netherlands

4. PREY RELATIONS

The larvae are fed with Honey bees (Apis melifera).

European beewulf ♀︎ (Philanthus triangulum)

With high exception bees from other genera are used as well [Peeters et al. 2004],[Ruchin & Antropov 2019]:

  • Andrena (Mining bees)
  • Dasypoda
  • Halictus (Sweat bees)
  • Lasioglossum (Sweat bees)
  • Megachile (Leafcutter bees)

5. PARASITIC RELATIONS

The following species and groups occurring in the Netherlands [Soortenregister] are mentioned in literature:

Chrysididae
(Cuckoo wasps)

Chrysis
Chrysis ignita [Ruchin & Antropov 2019]

Heydychrum
Heydychrum gerstaeckeri [Blösch 2000],[Ruchin & Antropov 2019]
Heydychrum rutilans [Blösch 2000],[Ruchin & Antropov 2019]

Pseudomalus
Pseudomalus auratus [Ruchin & Antropov 2019]

Diptera
(Flies)

Conopidae [Blösch 2000]
Conops [Peeters et al. 2004]

Sarcophagidae [Blösch 2000]
Metopia [Peeters et al. 2004]
Metopia argyrocephala [Blösch 2000]
Metopia leucocephala [Ruchin & Antropov 2019]

Physocephala
Physocephala chrysorrhoea [Blösch 2000],[Ruchin & Antropov 2019]
Physocephala vittata [Blösch 2000],[Ruchin & Antropov 2019]

Senotainia
Senotainia albifrons [Ruchin & Antropov 2019]

Sphecapata [Peeters et al. 2004]
Sphecapata conica [Blösch 2000],[Ruchin & Antropov 2019]
Table 5-1: Parasitic species in the Netherlands

Parasitic species outside the Netherlands:

Coleoptera
(Beetles)

Dermestidae [Ruchin & Antropov 2019]

Dermestes
Dermestes murinus [Ruchin & Antropov 2019]
Mutilididae
(Velvet ants)

Dasylabris
Dasylabris maura [Ruchin & Antropov 2019]
Diptera
(Flies)

Sarcophagidae


Phylloteles
Phylloteles pictipennis [Ruchin & Antropov 2019]
Table 5-2: Parasitic species outside the Netherlands

6. IDENTIFICATION

Length males: 13 – 17 mm
Length females: 8 – 10 mm

Genus

The genus Philanthus can be recognised by the following characteristics:

1.  Forewing: with 3 submarginal cells [Bitch et al. 2020],[Jacobs 2007],[Klein 1999],[Dollfuss 1991]

European beewulf ♀︎ (Philanthus triangulum), Philanthus: forewing with 3 submarginal cells

2. Forewing: submarginal cell 3 not petiolate or triangular [Bitch et al. 2020],[Jacobs 2007],[Klein 1999],[Dollfuss 1991]

European beewulf ♀︎ (Philanthus triangulum), Philanthus: submarginal cell 3 not petiolate or triangular

3. Forewing: first discoidal transvers vein joins submarginal cell 2 [Bitch et al. 2020],[Klein 1999],[Dollfuss 1991], second discoidal transvers vein joins submarginal cell 3 [Bitch et al. 2020],[Jacobs 2007],[Klein 1999],[Dollfuss 1991]

European beewulf ♀︎ (Philanthus triangulum), Philanthus: second discoidal transvers vein joins submarginal cell 3

4. Head: Inner edge of the eye with indentation [Bitch et al. 2020],[Jacobs 2007],[Klein 1999],[Dollfuss 1991]

European beewulf ♀︎ (Philanthus triangulum), Philanthus: inner edge eye with indentation

5. Thorax: notauli short and unclear [Jacobs 2007],[Dollfuss 1991]

European beewulf ♂︎ (Philanthus triangulum), Philanthus: notauli short and unclear

6. Thorax: propodeum dorsally densely punctuated and haired [Bitsch 2022],[Jacobs 2007],[Dollfuss 1991]

European beewulf ♀︎ (Philanthus triangulum), dense punctuation and hairs on propodeum

7. Abdomen: tergum 1 not petiolate [Bitch et al. 2020],[Jacobs 2007],[Klein 1999],[Dollfuss 1991]

European beewulf ♂︎ (Philanthus triangulum), Philanthus: abdomen not petiolate

8. Abdomen: terga with yellow spots [Jacobs 2007],[Klein 1999],[Dollfuss 1991]

European beewulf ♀︎ (Philanthus triangulum), Philanthus: tergites with yellow spots


European beewulf ♀︎ (Philanthus triangulum)
European beewulf ♀︎ (Philanthus triangulum)
European beewulf ♀︎ (Philanthus triangulum)

1. Antenna: with 12 segments [Bitsch 2022],[Jacobs 2007],[Klein 1999],[Dollfuss 1991]

European beewulf ♀︎ (Philanthus triangulum), antenna with twelve segments

2. Abdomen: with 6 segments [Bitsch 2022],[Jacobs 2007],[Klein 1999],[Dollfuss 1991]

Bijenwolf ♀︎ (Philanthus triangulum), achterlijf met zes segmenten

3. Abdomen: without pygidium [Dollfuss 1991]

European beewulf ♀︎ (Philanthus triangulum), abdomen without pygidium

4. Clypeus: without long hairs [Jacobs 2007],[Dollfuss 1991]

European beewulf ♀︎ (Philanthus triangulum), clypeus without long hairs

5. Foreleg: tarsus with tarsal comb [Klein 1999]

European beewulf ♀︎ (Philanthus triangulum), tarsus frontleg with tarsal comb

KOP

1. Clypeus: front edge clypeus with two teeth [Bitsch 2022],[Jacobs 2007],[Dollfuss 1991]

European beewulf ♀︎ (Philanthus triangulum), teeth on clypeus

2. Head: red curved elongated spot behind the eye. The color is very variable [Jacobs 2007].

European beewulf ♀︎ (Philanthus triangulum), red rounded elongated spot behind eye

THORAX

ABDOMEN



specimen caught for photo identification on 10-vi-2022

European beewulf ♂︎ (Philanthus triangulum)
European beewulf ♂︎ (Philanthus triangulum)
European beewulf ♂︎ (Philanthus triangulum)
European beewulf ♂︎ (Philanthus triangulum)
European beewulf ♂︎ (Philanthus triangulum)

1. Antenna: with 13 segmenten [Bitsch 2022],[Jacobs 2007],[Klein 1999],[Dollfuss 1991]

European beewulf ♂︎ (Philanthus triangulum), antenna with thirteen segments

2. Abdomen: with 7 segments [Bitsch 2022],[Jacobs 2007],[Klein 1999],[Dollfuss 1991]

European beewulf ♂︎ (Philanthus triangulum), abdomen with seven segments

3. Clypeus: with long hairs [Bitsch 2022],[Jacobs 2007]

European beewulf ♂︎ (Philanthus triangulum), clypeus with long haris and triangular shape on frons

HEAD

1. Forehead (frons): with triangular crown shaped yellow spot [Bitsch 2022],[Klein 1999]

European beewulf ♂︎ (Philanthus triangulum), face with crownshaped yellow spot

2. Head: yellow colored rounded long spots behind the eye. The color is very variable [Jacobs 2007]

European beewulf ♂︎ (Philanthus triangulum), yellow spot behind eye

THORAX

ABDOMEN



Literature

Bitsch 2022 Bitsch, J., 2022. Hyménoptères sphéciformes d'Europe: Systématique (3e partie) : Pemphredoninae et Philanthinae. France: Fédération française des sociétés de sciences naturelles.

Bitsch et al. 2020 Bitsch, J., Y. Barbier, S.F. Gayubo, H.-J. Jacobs, J. Leclercq, K. Schmidt., 2020. Hyménoptères sphéciformes d'Europe: Volume 1, Généralités, Heterogynaidae, Ampulicidae, Sphecidae, Crabronidae (1re partie). - France: Faune De France, 370p.

Blösch 2000 Blösch, M. (2000). Die Grabwespen Deutschlands – Lebens‐weise, Verhalten, Verbreitung. 71. Teil. In Dahl, F.: Die Tierwelt Deutschlands. Begr.: 1925. – Keltern (Goecke & Evers). – 480 S. 341 Farbfotos. ISBN 3‐931374‐26‐2 (hardcover). DM 98,–. Zool. Reihe, 78: 353-353. https://doi.org/10.1002/mmnz.20020780208

Bohart & Menke 1976 Bohart, R.M. & Menke A.S., 1976. Sphecid wasps of the world: a generic revision. - University of California Press, 695 p.

Dollfuss 1991 Dollfuss, H., 1991. Bestimmungsschlüssel der Grabwespen Nord-und Zentraleuropas. Stapfia, 24, 1-247.

Jacobs 2007 Jacobs, H.J., 2007. Die Grabwespen Deutschlands Ampulicidae. Sphecidae, Crabronidae–Bestimmungsschlüssel in Blank, SM & Taeger, A (Hrsg): Die Tierwelt Deutschlands und der angrenzenden Meeresteile nach ihren Merkmalen und nach ihrer Lebensweise, Hymenoptera III–Keltern, Goecke & Evers, 79: 1-207.

Klein 1999 Klein, W., 1999 De graafwespen van de Benelux: supplement. Jeugdbondsuitgeverij, 1-37. + Klein, W., 1996. De graafwespen van de Benelux. Jeugdbondsuitgeverij, 1-130.

Peeters et al. 2004 Peeters, T.M.J., C. van Achterberg, W.R.B. Heitmans, W.F. Klein, V. Lefeber, A.J. van Loon, A.A. Mabelis, H. Nieuwen-huijsen, M. Reemer, J. de Rond, J. Smit, H.H.W. Velthuis, 2004. De wespen en mieren van Nederland (Hymenoptera: Aculeata). – Nederlandse Fauna 6. Nationaal Natuurhistorisch Museum Naturalis, Leiden, knnv Uitgeverij, Utrecht & European Invertebrate Survey – Nederland, Leiden.

Piek 2013 Piek, T. (Ed.), 2013. Venoms of the Hymenoptera: biochemical, pharmacological and behavioural aspects. Elsevier.

Ruchin & Antropov 2019 Ruchin, A. & Antropov, A., 2019. Wasp fauna (Hymenoptera: Bethylidae, Chrysididae, Dryinidae, Tiphiidae, Mutillidae, Scoliidae, Pompilidae, Vespidae, Sphecidae, Crabronidae & Trigonalyidae) of Mordovia State Nature Reserve and its surroundings in Russia. Journal of Threatened Taxa. 11. 13195-13250. 10.11609/jott.4216.11.2.13195-13250.

Soortenregister Nederlands Soortenregister

Waarneming.nl Waarneming.nl

Citation

Krischan, O.R., 2025. Philanthus triangulum. Kerfdier, www.kerfdier.nl. Accessed on [date month year].



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