Dielis trifasciata

(Fabricius, 1793)

three-banded scoliid wasp

Species Guides

2

Dielis trifasciata is a scoliid characterized by distinctive yellow abdominal banding in females and black terminal segments in males. Body length ranges from 10–15 mm, with males of the D. t. nassauensis reaching up to 19 mm. This wasp targets scarab beetle larvae, specifically Phyllophaga 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//

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

Identification

Females distinguished from allied by three yellow abdominal bands. Males identified by combination of black terminal abdominal segments, 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 medium-sized scoliid . Females display yellow bands on the three abdominal segments; 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 scutellum. 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. Larvae are of scarab beetle larvae.

Host Associations

  • Phyllophaga portoricensis - larval laid on larvae of this scarab beetle

Life Cycle

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

Ecological Role

agent through of scarab beetle larvae.

Human Relevance

Potential agent for scarab pest .

Similar Taxa

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

More Details

Subspecies

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

Sources and further reading