#3173 · 🪲 beetles

Wasp Beetle

🇳🇱 Kleine Wespenbok ·Clytus arietis

🪲 Beetles 📍 in the Netherlands

10 photos from iNaturalist (Creative Commons) · credits & licences

1. © Corinna Herr · CC BY-NC 4.0
2. © Gilles San Martin · CC BY-SA 4.0
3. © Bähram Alagheband · CC BY-NC-ND 4.0
4. © Mike Kerry · CC BY 4.0
5. 3925 Scherpenzeel, Netherlands:© Aalbert Rebergen · CC BY 4.0
6. Opwettensemolen, Eindhoven, North Brabant, NL:© sterreneeltje · CC BY-NC 4.0
7. Heumensoord, Malden, Gelderland, NL:© markusgmeiner · CC BY-NC 4.0
8. Brabantse Poort, Nimwegen, Gelderland, NL:© markusgmeiner · CC BY-NC 4.0
9. Meridiaanpad, Almere, Flevoland, NL:© juan1960 · CC BY-NC 4.0
10. Rockanje, Zuid-Holland, NL:© no rights reserved · CC0

what is it?

Clytus arietis , the wasp beetle , is a wasp-mimicking longhorn beetle species in the genus Clytus . 71 in) in length, and flies well in sunshine from May to July, often visiting flowers for pollen and nectar. It is harmless but is protected by its wasp-like colours and movements, making it a Batesian mimic. The larvae live in dead wood. It also emanates a wasp buzz-like noise when threatened. They can be seen wandering around...

base stats

NL sightings 763iNaturalist, research grade
worldwide 15,156iNaturalist observations

Bars compare against all animals on log scales: up to 300,000 Dutch and 600,000 worldwide sightings (the most-seen species), 150 t (blue whale), 30 m and 400 years (Greenland shark).

fun facts

Spotted 763 times in the Netherlands on iNaturalist: the #11 most seen of the beetles in NL.
15,156 observations worldwide on iNaturalist.
Scientifically named in 1758 (268 years ago).