European Beewolf vs Sri Lankan Relict Ant

Side-by-side species comparison

Attribute European Beewolf Sri Lankan Relict Ant
Scientific Name Philanthus triangulum Aneuretus simoni
Order Hymenoptera Hymenoptera
Family Crabronidae Aneuretidae
Size 12-18 mm 3-4 mm
Habitat Beaches & Coastal Forests
Diet Predators Omnivores
Regions Western Europe, Central Europe, Southern Europe Sri Lanka
Conservation Least Concern Critically Endangered

European Beewolf

A large, striking yellow-and-black solitary wasp that specialises in hunting honeybees. Females paralyse bees in flight and carry them back to sandy burrow nests.

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Did You Know?

Females embalm their honeybee prey with an antifungal secretion to keep it fresh for their larvae.

Sri Lankan Relict Ant

The sole surviving member of its entire subfamily, known only from a few localities in Sri Lanka's rainforests. A true living fossil representing an ancient ant lineage.

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Did You Know?

The only living species in its entire subfamily, all other members went extinct millions of years ago.