Dielis plumipes

(Drury, 1770)

feather-legged scoliid wasp

Species Guides

Dielis plumipes is a of scoliid in the Scoliidae, commonly known as the feather-legged scoliid wasp. It is the type species of the Dielis and belongs to the tribe Campsomerini. The species exhibits strong in coloration and body structure. Three are recognized: D. p. plumipes, D. p. confluenta, and D. p. fossulana, which vary in geographic distribution across eastern and central North America.

Dielis plumipes plumipes by (c) inbetweenbays, some rights reserved (CC BY), uploaded by inbetweenbays. Used under a CC-BY license.

Dielis plumipes confluenta by (c) Colin Croft, some rights reserved (CC BY), uploaded by Colin Croft. Used under a CC-BY license.

Dielis plumipes confluenta by (c) aarongunnar, some rights reserved (CC BY), uploaded by aarongunnar. Used under a CC-BY license.

Pronunciation

How to pronounce Dielis plumipes: //ˈdaɪ.ɛ.lɪs ˈpluː.miː.pɛs//

These audio files are automatically generated. While they are not always 100% accurate, they are a good starting point.

Identification

Males distinguished from allied by entirely black and entirely black mid and hind legs. Females distinguished by black scutellum and yellow bands on first three to four tergites. Previously confused with Dielis tejensis females, which most closely resemble D. plumipes.

Images

Appearance

Females have a black scutellum and yellow bands on the first three or four tergites, with orangish setae along the pronotal collar. Males have yellow bands on the first four tergites and primarily whitish setae on the body. Males have the pronotum entirely black or nearly so, with an entirely black and entirely black mid and hind legs.

Distribution

Eastern and central United States. Three occupy distinct ranges: D. p. confluenta in central regions, D. p. fossulana in the Southeast (Texas, Louisiana, Florida), and nominate D. p. plumipes in a small coastal pocket within the Carolinian life zone.

Ecological Role

Larvae are of scarabaeid , as characteristic of Scoliidae. are that visit flowers for nectar.

Similar Taxa

Dielis tejensisFemales of D. tejensis most closely resemble D. plumipes and were previously confused with D. plumipes fossulana; both are partially sympatric in Texas
Dielis plumipes fossulana distinguished by geographic range; D. tejensis females were specifically confused with this subspecies before recognition as a separate

More Details

Subspecies

Three recognized: Dielis plumipes plumipes (Drury, 1770) — nominate subspecies in Carolinian coastal zone; Dielis plumipes confluenta (Say, 1823) — central subspecies with largest ; Dielis plumipes fossulana (Fabricius, 1804) — southeastern subspecies in Texas, Louisiana, and Florida

Taxonomic Note

D. plumipes is the type of Dielis Saussure & Sichel, 1864. The genus Dielis is the most species-rich genus of Campsomerini in the , essentially comprising the species groups of D. plumipes and D. pseudonyma. The taxonomic ranks of the require further investigation.