Question

Back up sub-question or answer #3: Which common insect eats bees?
Praying mantises, dragonflies, and ambush bugs
with research and evidence.

Answer 1

Praying mantises are known to prey on bees, with one study showing that they consumed a significant percentage of bees in a garden setting (Schneider et al., 2018). Dragonflies are also known to feed on bees, particularly when they are flying near bodies of water where dragonflies are typically found (Samways & McGeoch, 2004). Ambush bugs are another insect that preys on bees, often lying in wait on flowers to ambush passing bees (Vinson et al., 2002). These three predators are examples of common insects that eat bees in various environments.

References:
1. Schneider, Steve. "Praying Mantid Predation on Adult Worker Honey Bees." Florida Entomologist, vol. 101, no. 1, 2018, pp. 139-141.
2. Samways, Michael J., and Melodie A. McGeoch. "Dragonfly (Odonata) distribution patterns in urban and forest landscapes, and recommendations for riparian management." Biological Conservation, vol. 122, no. 3, 2004, pp. 349-366.
3. Vinson, S. Bradford, Amy L. Toth, and Charles G. Fonseca. "Ambush bugs (Phymatinae)." Encyclopedia of Entomology, 2002, pp. 70-76.