Pygodasis ephippium
Saddleback Scoliid Wasp
A large scoliid reaching approximately 4 cm in length, with striking black and orange coloration. Males possess long , slender bodies, and a conspicuous pseudostinger at the tip; females are more with shorter antennae and a functional retractable . The has been recorded as a of and as a flower visitor. Originally known from south Texas south to Ecuador, with more recent records from Arizona and Panama.
Pronunciation
How to pronounce Pygodasis ephippium: /piːɡoʊˈdeɪsɪs ɛˈfɪpiəm/
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Identification
Males distinguished by long , relatively slender body, and pseudostinger at ; females more with shorter antennae and functional retractable . Black body with orange abdomen. Approximately 4 cm length. Punctures on and propodeum, specific patterns, and body used for definitive identification.
Images
Habitat
Found on flowers, including Desert Lavender (Hyptis emoryi), Coreocarpus arizonicus, and Brassica nigra. In Panama, observed near vegetable .
Distribution
United States: south Texas, Arizona (Sabino Canyon Recreation Area, Miller Canyon); south through Mesoamerica to Ecuador. Panama: Chiriquí province (Cerro Punta and other localities), Coclé province, Panamá province.
Seasonality
Observed in mid-December in Arizona; December in Panama.
Host Associations
- scarab beetle grubs - Female into brief paralysis, lay single on ; wasp larva feeds externally on grub, invariably killing
Behavior
Female dig up using heavy, spiny legs, them into brief paralysis, and oviposit on the . The grub eventually recovers motor function and resumes feeding until the wasp kills it. Males observed feeding on flower nectar alongside .
Ecological Role
of ; flower visitor and .
Human Relevance
Venomous capable of inflicting painful bites on humans. Occasionally encountered in recreational areas and near agricultural settings.
Similar Taxa
- Campsomeris tolteca in Arizona; males observed feeding together on same flower ; distinguished by specific coloration and structural characters requiring close examination