Mammoth wasp
Encyclopedia
The mammoth wasp, Megascolia maculata flavifrons, is a very large wasp
(the largest in Europe), with the female reaching up to 6 centimetres (2.4 in), whereas the male is smaller. The species can be seen in warm weather, from May to September.
larva, since the female mammoth wasp stings the larva
to paralyze it, and then lays one egg in its outer skin. The egg will then hatch and the mammoth wasp larva will feed on its host, until it is able to build a cocoon
and develop into an adult mammoth wasp. It will stay in the cocoon over winter, and will emerge only in spring.
Wasp
The term wasp is typically defined as any insect of the order Hymenoptera and suborder Apocrita that is neither a bee nor an ant. Almost every pest insect species has at least one wasp species that preys upon it or parasitizes it, making wasps critically important in natural control of their...
(the largest in Europe), with the female reaching up to 6 centimetres (2.4 in), whereas the male is smaller. The species can be seen in warm weather, from May to September.
Sexual dimorphism
The female is larger than the male. The female's head is yellow or orange, whereas the male's head is black or dark coloured.Parasitic behaviour
Mammoth wasps are parasitic of the European rhinoceros beetleEuropean Rhinoceros Beetle
The European rhinoceros beetle is a large flying beetle that inhabits the Palaearctic region. It is the only representative of the Dynastinae family found in Northern Europe....
larva, since the female mammoth wasp stings the larva
Larva
A larva is a distinct juvenile form many animals undergo before metamorphosis into adults. Animals with indirect development such as insects, amphibians, or cnidarians typically have a larval phase of their life cycle...
to paralyze it, and then lays one egg in its outer skin. The egg will then hatch and the mammoth wasp larva will feed on its host, until it is able to build a cocoon
Cocoon
Cocoon may refer to:*Cocoon , a pupal casing made by moth caterpillars and other insect larvae*Apache Cocoon, web development software*Cocoon , a 1985 science fiction film**Cocoon: The Return, 1988 sequel to Cocoon...
and develop into an adult mammoth wasp. It will stay in the cocoon over winter, and will emerge only in spring.