Scoliid Wasps
Scoliidae
Classification
- Phylum: Arthropoda
- Subphylum: Hexapoda
- Class: Insecta
- Order: Hymenoptera
- Superfamily: Scolioidea
- Family: Scoliidae
Pronunciation
How to pronounce Scoliidae: /skɔˈli.aɪdiː/
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Summary
The Scoliidae family, known as scoliid wasps, comprises around 560 species worldwide. They are notable for their role as parasitoids of scarab beetle larvae, playing a significant ecological role as biocontrol agents. Adult wasps can sometimes act as pollinators and exhibit interesting behaviors, such as pseudocopulation with certain orchids.
Physical Characteristics
Scoliid wasps are typically black, often with yellow or orange markings. Their wing tips are distinctly corrugated. Sexually dimorphic, with males being more slender and elongated than females, possessing longer antennae.
Identification Tips
Males have longer antennae and are more slender than females. Look for the characteristic corrugated wing tips and the separation of metacoxae.
Habitat
Scoliid wasps primarily inhabit areas where scarab beetle larvae are present, often found in gardens, fields, and meadows.
Distribution
Worldwide; most diverse in the southern regions of North America.
Diet
Larvae are parasitoids of ground-dwelling scarab grubs; adults primarily feed on nectar from various wildflowers.
Life Cycle
Females burrow into the ground to find scarab grubs, sting them to paralyze them, and then lay eggs on or in these paralyzed larvae. The larvae develop within the host.
Reproduction
Males patrol territories to mate with emerging females; females use their stingers to paralyze prey before laying eggs.
Ecosystem Role
Scoliid wasps play an important role in controlling pest populations, specifically of scarab beetles, which include agricultural pests like the Japanese beetle.
Economic Impact
As biocontrol agents, they help reduce populations of agricultural pests, potentially lowering pest management costs for farmers.
Collecting Methods
- Net sweeping
- Ground trapping
- Visual searching
Preservation Methods
- Pinning
- Alcohol preservation
- Relaxing and spreading
Evolution
The subfamily Scoliinae is primarily composed of extant species, with Archaeoscoliinae known from the fossil record, indicating a long evolutionary history.
Misconceptions
Some may confuse scoliid wasps with other wasp families; however, their distinct body shape and coloring aid in identification.
Tags
- wasps
- Scoliidae
- biocontrol
- pollinators
- entomology