Naming
Although the adults of the species are herbivores, the species derives its name from the behavior of the inseminated females, who hunt Western honey bees.The female places several of its paralyzed prey together with an egg in a small underground chamber, to serve as food for the wasp larvae. All members of the genus "Philanthus" hunt various species of bees, but "P. triangulum" is apparently the only one that specializes in Western honey bees.
Status
This wasp was previously considered to be one of the great aculeate rarities in Britain, with colonies only in sandy habitats on the Isle of Wight and Suffolk. It has undergone an expansion in range, with the wasp now locally common in a steadily increasing number of sites as far north as Yorkshire. The species has RDB2 status but, if revised, it is now likely that this status will be removed because of its increase in range and population.References:
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