Despite their large size (about 5 inches including the antennas) and As the largest wasp in Europe, is becoming increasingly difficult to find a copy of Megascolia maculata flavifrons.
Unlike what can be thought of seeing her for the first time, M. maculata is virtually harmless and does not attack humans, unless of course you feel threatened or be manipulated. Has an impressive stinger (only female) and a jaw line to its large size. Their sting in principle no more serious than any other wasp, although its bite given the size of its jaws it can be much more painful. In any case it is better not to check.
can a priori be confused with Megascolia bidens, although this has orange antennae, while in M. maculata black.
is a solitary animal which does not form colonies. Its development depends largely on the presence of "rhinoceros beetle (Oryctes nasicornis). The female beetle larvae looking Megascolia (beetles), especially rhinoceros beetle. Once a larva located the spurs, paralyzing, stopped developing it and depositing an egg from which emerge a hornet larvae to be fed the larva of the beetle.
plaggic Due to the use of pesticides and rhinoceros beetle populations is being reduced drastically, which undoubtedly affects the reproduction of Megascolia maculata.
rhinoceros beetles lay their larvae in tree stumps, and (except for plants, conifers) and are therefore linked to agricultural and natural environments, which is why it is difficult to find the Megascolia maculata in urban areas.
in English is known by the common name "wasp Mammoth (Mammoth Wasp). No need to explain why.
In the attached photo you can see a female M. maculata flavifrons. It is recognized as female by the large yellow spots of the head, since the male's head is almost entirely black but may present any stain or yellow stripe but much smaller or almost imperceptible, in addition to smaller size head and long antennae.
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