The Wasp and the Bee

An Augochlorini bee harassing a Bicyrtes wasp. Why is this little bee so upset? Did she mistake this hunter of stink bugs and the like for the dreaded bee-wolf, Philanthus? Both Bicyrtes and Philanthus have a similar pattern, but only Philanthus is a threat to bees. Does the bee-wolf mimic the bug hunter to confuse its intended prey, the bee? A wolf in Bicyrtes clothes? Does anybody know?
One of many pollinators: http://pollinators.blogspot.com/

Category:

Pets & Animals

Tags:

• insect
• behavior
• wasp
• bee
• bee-wolf
• sweatbee
• Bicyrtes
• Augochlorini
• flying
• mountain
• mint

[maculifrons]

Nice video!

I have witnessed the same thing with wool carder bees. They try to defend 'their' patch of flowers against any kind of fly/bee/wasp

Is that mint they are feeding on?!

You may remember my little tiny piece that I snagged... It is in a pot where it has produced new plants (I guess the roots have spread) I'll have to plant it in the spring

[bmoisset]

Thanks, yes, it is mountain mint; a magnet for all sorts of insects. You'll have fun with it.

[orchidflight]

Great footage, thanks!

[TotallyParanormal]

Funny :D

[Honestoxxx]

Ahahah, yea, agree! sure that little bee is insulting the noble wasp, but she totally ignores her!

I love green bees, so cute and their legs look so funny!!!

[shiryu84]

It looks like the bee is insulting the wasp but she doesn't give a damn about it ;p