Dielis trifasciata

(Fabricius, 1793)

three-banded scoliid wasp

Dielis trifasciata is a scoliid characterized by distinctive abdominal banding in females and black in males. Body length ranges from 10–15 mm, with males of the D. t. nassauensis reaching up to 19 mm. This wasp targets , specifically portoricensis. feed on nectar and possibly pollen. The species occurs in southern Florida, the Bahamas, and most of the Greater Antilles.

Scoliidae. Dielis trifasciata. Male (25762495926) by gailhampshire from Cradley, Malvern, U.K. Used under a CC BY 2.0 license.Dielis trifasciata nassauensis (14466667) by Peter Nathaniel Boyer. Used under a CC BY 4.0 license.Wasps on sea grape flowers. Little San Salvadore, April (24004965867) by Dr Mary Gillham Archive Project. Used under a CC BY 2.0 license.

Pronunciation

How to pronounce Dielis trifasciata: //ˈdaɪəlɪs ˌtraɪ.fæsˈsiː.ətə//

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Identification

Females distinguished from allied by three abdominal . Males identified by combination of black abdominal , yellow scutellar band, and extensively yellow . separation based on band width: broad bands in D. t. trifasciata versus very narrow bands in D. t. nassauensis.

Images

Appearance

Small to -sized scoliid . Females display on the three abdominal ; bands are broad in nominate D. t. trifasciata but very narrow in D. t. nassauensis. Males have last three abdominal segments black and a single yellow band on the . Males of D. t. trifasciata distinguished by extensively yellow .

Distribution

Southern Florida, Bahamas, and most of the Greater Antilles.

Diet

feed on nectar and possibly pollen. are of larvae.

Host Associations

  • Phyllophaga portoricensis - larval laid on of this

Life Cycle

laying on ; specific developmental stages not detailed in available sources.

Ecological Role

agent through of .

Human Relevance

Potential agent for pest .

Similar Taxa

  • Other Dielis speciesMales of D. t. trifasciata distinguished from allied by extensively

More Details

Subspecies

Two recognized : Dielis trifasciata trifasciata (Fabricius, 1793) with broad , and Dielis trifasciata nassauensis (Bradley, 1928) with very narrow bands and larger male size (up to 19 mm).

Sources and further reading