Clytus arietis
In 3 days ~20% in a week ~40%
Clytus arietis, the wasp beetle, is a wasp-mimicking longhorn beetle species in the genus Clytus belonging to the family Cerambycidae. Renowned for its mimicry of wasps, this beetle exhibits black and yellow coloration and behaviors that deter potential predators.
Measuring between 9 and 18 millimeters in length, Clytus arietis is prevalent across Europe and is typically observed from May to July. Adults are frequently found on flowers and decaying wood, where they feed on pollen. The larvae develop in dead or decaying wood, playing a role in the decomposition process. Despite their wasp-like appearance, wasp beetles are harmless to humans and contribute to the ecosystem by aiding in wood decomposition.
It reaches 9–18 millimetres (0.35–0.71 in) in length. It features prominent yellow and black patterns along its head and abdomen, in what is believed to be an evolutionary attempt to mimic wasps and avoid predation. It also possesses thin legs and antennae that move in small, quick movements, which supports the wasp-mimicking hypothesis. It has relatively short antennae compared to other beetles of the same Family. Usually, other longhorn beetles will also... Wikipedia →
| # | Park | Country | Daily sighting probability |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Bavarian Forest National Park | 🇩🇪 Germany | |
| 2 | Ecrins National Park | 🇫🇷 France | |
| 3 | Cévennes National Park | 🇫🇷 France | |
| 4 | Wadden Sea National Park | 🇩🇪 Germany | |
| 5 | Snowdonia National Park | 🇬🇧 United Kingdom | |
| 6 | Pyrénées National Park | 🇫🇷 France |
| # | City | Country | Daily sighting probability |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Essen | 🇩🇪 Germany | |
| 2 | Copenhagen | 🇩🇰 Denmark | |
| 3 | Birmingham | 🇬🇧 United Kingdom | |
| 4 | Hamburg | 🇩🇪 Germany | |
| 5 | London | 🇬🇧 United Kingdom | |
| 6 | Amsterdam | 🇳🇱 Netherlands | |
| 7 | Cologne | 🇩🇪 Germany | |
| 8 | Budapest | 🇭🇺 Hungary | |
| 9 | Rotterdam [The Hague] | 🇳🇱 Netherlands | |
| 10 | Brussels | 🇧🇪 Belgium |
With luck
About 10% of wildlife watchers report a Wasp Beetle sighting in London on a given day, based on 98 verified sightings from GBIF citizen-science data. It is the 297th most-seen of the 1504 insects we can rate there. Over three days the chance rises to about 20%, and over a week to about 40%, if each day is a fresh chance.
May
In that month about 20% of wildlife watchers report a Wasp Beetle in London on a given day, against under 5% in July to March, the lowest months.
Between noon and 3 pm
Across all the parks we cover, that three-hour window holds the most Wasp Beetle sightings with a recorded time, and about 9 in 10 of them come between 6 am and 6 pm: it is a daytime animal.
Among the best
Of the 20 cities where we can rate Wasp Beetle sightings, London ranks 5th at about 10%, level with the leaders once rounded. The best odds are in Essen (Germany, about 10%), Copenhagen (Denmark, about 10%) and Birmingham (United Kingdom, about 10%).
Same family: Cerambycidae
The closest relatives of the Wasp Beetle that you can see in London (family Cerambycidae, Longhorn Beetles) are Spotted Longhorn Beetle (about 10%), Common Grammoptera (about 10%) and Fairy-Ring Longhorn Beetle (about 10%), with each one's daily chance of a sighting.
GBIF citizen-science records
It is estimated from how often the Wasp Beetle is recorded against all the insects logged in London (98 verified sightings), calibrated against known sighting rates. Figures are rounded to the nearest 10% because citizen-science data supports honest approximations, not decimals, and months with records from fewer than five people show "—". How it works.
