Crabro cribrarius male

JRsbugs · #1 (**permalink**) 06-10-2011, 02:09 PM

Hello all!

I thought you might like to see this beast! I got it earlier on Ground Elder but didn't get as many angles on that as it was in a hurry. This time, on 29th July it was taking a rest on an Ivy leaf over my pond in a difficult to get place in shadows of course, but I risked life and limb to get it.

He was ~15mm long.

Stuart, I think you will agree on the ID and if you want to use it for BWARs you are welcome.

Janet

Bruce Williams · #2 (**permalink**) 07-10-2011, 02:53 PM

An interesting species Janet and a nice selection of shots too - thanks for posting. Any idea what the enlarged tibia of the male is used for?

Bruce

JRsbugs · #3 (**permalink**) 07-10-2011, 04:27 PM

Hi Bruce.

I guess the enlarged tibia are used to hold the female over the eyes while he has his way with her!

There's three Crabro species in the UK, this is the biggest. Crabro peltarius is similar but with a different pattern and shaped tibia. Crabro scutellatus is the smallest and rarest with a very southerly distribution. There is some crossover in sizes down the scale.

I find the front tarsi very interesting too! You can best see the shape in this pic..

Bruce Williams · #4 (**permalink**) 07-10-2011, 05:48 PM

Yes I can see what you mean about the tibia - they are pretty much eye shaped aren't they. I hadn't noticed the flattened tarsi until you mentioned it - altogether quite a remarkable adaptation.

Bruce