Milesia scutellata

Hull, 1924

Yellow-backed Giant

Milesia scutellata is a of ( ) described by Hull in 1924. It belongs to the Milesia, which includes several large, -mimicking species found in North America. The species is known from the southeastern United States, ranging from southeast Oklahoma to North Carolina. Like other members of its genus, it likely exhibits of stinging wasps, though specific behavioral and ecological details for this species remain poorly documented.

Pronunciation

How to pronounce Milesia scutellata: //maɪˈliːziə ˌskjuːtəˈlɑːtə//

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Identification

Milesia scutellata can be distinguished from its Milesia virginiensis (the "News " or Virginia ) by its geographic range—the former occurs in the southeastern United States while the latter ranges across eastern North America from Kansas to Minnesota and Ontario, south to Texas and Florida. Milesia scutellata is also with M. bella in the southwestern United States. Specific morphological differences between these are not well documented in available sources. All three species share the large size (18-28.5 mm body length in M. virginiensis), and black coloration, and -like appearance characteristic of the .

Distribution

Southeastern United States, specifically from southeast Oklahoma to North Carolina.

Similar Taxa

  • Milesia virginiensisLarger with overlapping eastern range; distinguished by broader distribution across eastern North America and well-documented -
  • Milesia bella in the southwestern United States; similar large size and coloration

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Sources and further reading