Bee Wolf in Christchurch Park in Ipswich! There was quite an extensive group of burrows with plenty of activity even on a dull day!

The bee wolf is a large solitary wasp, most often found on sandy areas of lowland heath and coastal dunes. Once extremely rare, with just a few scattered populations in southern England, in the last few decades they have expanded their range dramatically.

Male bee wolves gather together in a form of lek, where each male defends a small territory and uses pheromones to attract a female. After this, males play no further part in the nesting process.

Female bee wolves dig a nesting burrow in a sandy bank or floor. Burrows can be a metre long, with up to 34 side burrows ending in brood chambers.

Female bee wolves prey on honey bee workers, paralysing them with a sting and carrying them back to their burrow. Up to six paralysed honey bees are placed in each brood chamber, then a single egg is laid on one of the bees and the chamber is sealed with sand. After hatching, the larva feeds on the stored honey bees before spinning a cocoon to hibernate through winter, ready to emerge in spring.

The bee Wolf is found widely across southern Britain, with largest concentrations in the south and east, but it has been recorded as far north as Lancashire.

Tags:   Philanthus triangulum Bee Wolf Solitary Wasp Wasp Insect Invertebrate Christchurch Park Ipswich Suffolk Summer July 2020

© All Rights Reserved

Just a duckling stretching its wings!

Tags:   Duckling Mallard Anas Platyrhynchos Ipswich Christchurch Park Suffolk July 2020 Summer Lake

© All Rights Reserved

We met this character while walking through Christchurch Park today!

Tags:   Squirrel Grey Squirrel Sciurus carolinensis Fence Park Ipswich Suffolk Christchurch Park Summer August 2020 Animal Christchurch Park Squiggle!

© All Rights Reserved

I love the amazing water colours and patterns on this shot of a juvenile gull reflected in the lake in Christchurch Park!

Tags:   Christchurch Park Ipswich Suffolk Gull Juvenile Lake Water Green Ripples Reflection August 2020 Summer

© All Rights Reserved

Autumn squiggle in Christchurch Park!

Tags:   Grey Squirrel Sciurus carolinensis Squirrel Autumn Autumn Squiggle! Bark Bokeh September 2020 Tree Suffolk Ipswich

© All Rights Reserved