About Rutpela maculata (Poda, 1761)
Adult Rutpela maculata reach 13–20 millimetres (0.51–0.79 inches) in length. The head and pronotum are dark brown, while the elytra are yellowish with black dots and stripes. This patterning is a rough mimicry of wasps, which likely provides the beetles some protection from predatory birds. This species is widespread across most of Europe, the eastern Palearctic realm, and the Near East. Specific recorded locations include Albania, Austria, Belgium, Bulgaria, Corsica, Croatia, Czech Republic, Denmark, Finland, France, Germany, Greece, Hungary, Italy, Luxembourg, Netherlands, Norway, Poland, Portugal, Romania, Russia, Sardinia, Serbia, Sicily, Slovakia, Slovenia, Spain, Sweden, Switzerland, Syria, Turkey, and the United Kingdom.
