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Project Noah Nature School
Philanthus pacificus
Large greenish eyes and black and yellow band on abdomen. These are a predatory wasp also known as beewolf (genus Philanthus) or bee-killer wasp.
Spotted on a mint plant in my backyard.
They are notable in stinging their prey in a membranous location on the ventral surface where the venom quickly paralyzes major voluntary muscles, yet does not kill the prey. The prey may attempt to sting in return, but it is always grabbed in such a way that only well-armored portions of the beewolf's body are presented. The beewolf carries the prey back to a tunnel, but usually only stores it temporarily, until it is later used to provision a cell burrow, where an egg is laid.
Spotted on Aug 6, 2017
Submitted on Dec 2, 2017
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