Flower Wasp

Description:

Flower Wasps are a solitary wasp in the Tiphiidae family usualy preying on beetle larvae in which to lay eggs and feed the growing larvae. This one is a bee mimic with dinstinctive dark and yellow bands on the abdomin. The body is quite hairy with hairs continueing onto the legs as well. In some species the female is wingless and winged males carry them in flight often mating on the wing. The males also actively feed the females or place them on flowers. Adults of the species are nectar feeders and play an importan part in pollenation. Females do carry a sting and use it in defence if disturbed.

Habitat:

Woodland vegitation with late summer flowers