David Element
Wildlife Photography and Digital
Video Images
_______________________________________________________________
Hymenoptera 16 - Mammoth Wasps
MAMMOTH
WASP Megascolia maculata
flavifrons (f)
MAMMOTH
WASP Megascolia maculata
flavifrons (f)
MAMMOTH
WASP Megascolia maculata
flavifrons (f)
MAMMOTH
WASP Megascolia maculata
flavifrons (f)
MAMMOTH
WASP Megascolia maculata flavifrons
(f)
- These
pictures were taken in the South of France and Tuscany (Toscana), Italy.
The commonly used name for these insects might imply some 'fishermanesque' exaggeration. However, in the case of
the mammoth wasp Megascolia
maculata flavifrons
there is little question that it is justified. By European standards this scoliid is a truly massive hymenopteran with the
yellow-headed females reaching up to about 4.5cm in length. Despite the
warning coloration and intimidating appearance this insect poses no threat
to humans. Eggs are laid on Rhinocerous
Beetle Oryctes nasicornis
larvae once they have been stung and paralysed and the females may be
observed hovering in the vicinity of dead wood waiting for an opportunity
to oviposit. Unfortunately, a temporary equipment 'malfunction' (i.e. flash cut-out to prevent overheating in very hot
weather) sabotaged what would have been the best photographs in this
sequence. An excellent account of this behaviour (in Spain) may be read
at: https://wildsideholidays.co.uk/bees-and-wasps/.
Further information about Iberian wildlife may be found on Clive Muir and
Sue Eatock's very informative Wildside Holidays website: https://wildsideholidays.co.uk/ and on
their recently merged nature forum with Nick Lloyd's Iberian Nature at: http://www.iberianatureforum.com.
.
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