Project Noah

Project Noah is a tool to explore and document wildlife and a platform to harness the power of citizen scientists everywhere.

Join Project Noah Today

Beewolf Wasp

Philanthus gibbosus

Description:

Philanthus gibbosus is a bee-hunting wasp, the most common and widespread member of the genus in North America. Females construct nests in soil cavities and adults feed on nectar. Females will actively stalk bees (commonly Halictidae) & wasps that are busy gathering nectar and pollen themselves and will use this prey to provision their nests for food when their eggs hatch.

Habitat:

Most of North America. Areas of other small foraging bees & wasps.

Notes:

Observed on Shasta Daisy (Leucanthemum x superbum).

No species ID suggestions

4 Comments

Small Wonders
Small Wonders 10 months ago

There were many tumbling flower beetles, that were residents. Also a few different species of flower longhorns, snout beetles & flower scarabs. Coleoptera definitely contributed to this tiny habitat :)

martinl
martinl 10 months ago

I am holding my breath. I love a closer focus on any species or habitat. Are there many beetles?

Small Wonders
Small Wonders 10 months ago

Thank you Martini!
I am doing research on the arthropod biodiversity found on these hybrid daisies. I observed more than 80 species during a period of 1 week, so many more photos yet to come!

martinl
martinl 10 months ago

What an impressive series of pollinating insects. You have done some good homework. You have found a very productive daisy bush. It shows clearly the massive advantage for modern flying insects when flowering plants evolved. Now they (both) rule the world.

Grand Rapids, Michigan, USA

Lat: 42.96, Long: -85.66

Spotted on Jul 1, 2012
Submitted on Jul 22, 2012

Spotted for mission

Related spottings

Beewolf beewolf wasp Beewolf Graafwesp (Cerceris quadricincta)

Nearby spottings

Three-lined Potato Beetle Western Honey Bee Pileated Woodpecker Moss