Colpa flammicoma

Bradley, 1928

Colpa flammicoma is a of scoliid described by Bradley in 1928. As a member of the mammoth wasp Scoliidae, its larvae are of scarabaeid . Phylogenetic research has established Colpa as sister to the tribe Scoliini, a relationship that renders the traditional tribe Campsomerini non-monophyletic. The species occurs in the southwestern United States and Baja California, Mexico.

Pronunciation

How to pronounce Colpa flammicoma: /ˈkɔlpa flæˈmɪkoʊmə/

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Identification

Colpa flammicoma can be distinguished from other scoliid wasps by its placement in the Colpa, which phylogenetic analyses have established as sister to the Scoliini rather than nested within the remaining Campsomerini. Specific diagnostic morphological features for this are not documented in the available sources.

Distribution

North America: United States (southwestern region) and Mexico (Baja California). Documented from Arizona, California, and Baja California.

Host Associations

  • Scarabaeidae - larval Larvae are of scarabaeid ; specific for C. flammicoma not documented

Ecological Role

As a of scarabaeid , contributes to natural of scarab . Scoliid wasps have been studied and used as biological control agents.

Similar Taxa

  • Other Campsomerini sensu latoTraditional tribal classification placed Colpa within Campsomerini, but phylogenetic analysis shows Colpa is sister to Scoliini; morphological distinction from other campsomerine requires expert identification
  • ScoliiniPhylogenetically sister group to Colpa; traditional morphological characters may not clearly separate these lineages without molecular or detailed morphological analysis

More Details

Phylogenetic significance

Colpa flammicoma belongs to a whose phylogenetic position has been clarified through ultraconserved element (UCE) data. The sister relationship between Colpa and Scoliini demonstrates that the tribe Campsomerini as traditionally circumscribed is non-monophyletic, necessitating taxonomic revision.

Research context

The Colpa and the Scoliidae were subjects of modern systematic treatment by Ziad Khouri at UC Davis, who used - data and model-based methods to resolve long-standing taxonomic confusion in this family.

Sources and further reading