Digger Wasp
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The following article is from The Great Soviet Encyclopedia (1979). It might be outdated or ideologically biased.
Digger Wasp
(Philanthus triangulum), a solitary wasp of the Sphecidae family. Body length, 12-16 mm.
The adult digger wasp feeds on flowers. The female builds a vertical burrow approximately 1 m deep with chambers on the sides where the larvae develop. The wasp preys on honeybees, killing them and bringing them back to the nest to feed the larvae. During its development, a larva will eat four to six bees. Settling in large colonies near apiaries, digger wasps may be detrimental to beekeeping.
The Great Soviet Encyclopedia, 3rd Edition (1970-1979). © 2010 The Gale Group, Inc. All rights reserved.