European Beewolf vs Turkish Owlfly
Side-by-side species comparison
| Attribute | European Beewolf | Turkish Owlfly |
|---|---|---|
| Scientific Name | Philanthus triangulum | Libelloides rhomboideus |
| Order | Hymenoptera | Neuroptera |
| Family | Crabronidae | Ascalaphidae |
| Size | 12-18 mm | 42-52 mm wingspan |
| Habitat | Beaches & Coastal | Meadows |
| Diet | Predators | Predators |
| Regions | Western Europe, Central Europe, Southern Europe | Turkey, Eastern Mediterranean, Caucasus |
| Conservation | Least Concern | Least Concern |
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.
Did You Know?
Females embalm their honeybee prey with an antifungal secretion to keep it fresh for their larvae.
Turkish Owlfly
A striking owlfly with rhombus-shaped wing markings found in Anatolia and the eastern Mediterranean. Active on warm sunny hillsides.
Did You Know?
Its diamond-shaped wing markings are unique among European owlflies and aid in species identification.