Memorable Moments on the Heath 10: Beewolf
Welcome to the tenth in a series, compiled by Warden Mike, featuring members of the Thames Basin Heaths Partnership Team recalling memorable moments on the heath.
Warden Mike: Beewolf
In 2018, whilst wardening at Horsell Common, I came upon excavators busily constructing a city in the Sand Pit. The erection of buildings is not permitted on a Site of Special Scientific Interest so you can imagine my surprise! But fear not – skyscrapers were nowhere to be seen because this was a city with a difference…
A ‘wasp city’. Constructed by Beewolves.
The Beewolf – also known as the Bee Killer Wasp – is a honeybee hunting ‘digger’ wasp. The Beewolf paralyses the honeybee with a sting and carries it back to its nest for the larvae to feed on. Although the Beewolf is a ‘solitary’ wasp – with each female constructing her own individual nest – other females dig their own nests in close proximity. These are known as ‘wasp cities’.
Beewolf (credit: Judyten)
The Beewolf is very successful in colonizing suitable sunny locations once they become available and, thanks to extensive removal of large pine trees and scrub the previous winter at Horsell Sand Pit, sandy slopes were opened to sunlight – and, Hey Presto! – Beewolves moved in!
Beewolf (credit: Stefan)
Mike
Thames Basin Heaths Partnership