60
The Essex Naturalist
SAPYGIDAE
Sapygids are all cleptoparasitic on megachilid bees, the larva destroying the host
egg and then feeding on its provisions. Eggs are inserted into the nest via the
ovipositor, which also doubles as a sting.
Sapyga clavicornis (L.) - Notable B
A parasite of the bee genera Chelostoma and Osmia.
We have records from only two sites - at Broom Hill (West Tilbury) In 1993
and from Fobbing Hill in 1995.
S. quinquepunctata (Fabr.)
A parasite of the bee genera Osmia (several species) and Chelostoma.
Listed for the Colchester area by Harwood (1884) without further detail. We
have two recent sites: Mill Wood Pit and PH's garden, both at Grays.
TIPHIIDAE
Little is known of the detailed biology of British Tiphiids. Elsewhere, they are of
importance in the control of scarabaeid beetle larvae. Adult females tunnel into
the soil to find the beetle grubs, paralyse them with a sting and then lay an egg
on the quiescent host.
SUBFAMILY TIPHIINAE
Tiphia femorata Fabr.
Attacks scarabaeid beetle larvae of the genera Aphodius, Rhizotragns, Anisoplia
and probably also Anomala.
Records centre on the two ten-kilometre squares TQ57 and TQ67, with insects
being recorded at Mill Wood Pit, Dolphin Pit, East Tilbury Silt Lagoons and
Ferry Fields.
T. minuta Van der Linden - Notable B
Biology unknown (Richards 1980)
We have only a single Essex record of this elusive species, from Ferry Fields,
Tilbury on 25th June 1995. Elsewhere in Britain, malaise traps are evidently
efficient at capturing this insect (M Edwards pers. comm.).
SUBFAMILY METHOCHINAE
Methocha ichneumonoides Latreille - Notable B
Attacks beetles of the genus Cicindela, with C. campestris, C. maritima and C.
sylvatica recorded.
Colchester and Southend (Main 1927). Epping Forest, 11th August 1929 - two
females, including one extracted from the burrow of a tiger beetle (Main 1931).
Listed for S Essex by Falk (1991) with no details. We have no recent records.
Sadly, tiger beetles are no longer widespread in Essex and are to be found in only
a very few localities. Where they do occur the wasp may well be found.