European beewolf

Females protect their young from mould by applying a secretion to the bees, and the egg releases nitric oxide that kills growing fungi.1

Females also secrete a substance containing Streptomyces bacteria, which protect the larva's cocoon from fungal infection.1

The female hunts honey bees, and the species is apparently the only one in its genus that specialises in western honey bees.1

Nests can form large groups, with as many as 15,000 burrows in one aggregation.1

Niko Tinbergen's experiments showed that the wasp identifies its nest by sight.1

In Britain it was once considered one of the great rarities among stinging wasps, but its range has expanded northwards as summers have grown warmer.1