Scarab-predator
Guides
Dielis trifasciata trifasciata
Three-banded Scoliid Wasp
Dielis trifasciata trifasciata is a subspecies of scoliid wasp in the family Scoliidae. Scoliid wasps are solitary, parasitoid wasps known for their robust bodies and distinctive coloration patterns. The specific epithet 'trifasciata' refers to the three-banded appearance typical of this taxon. Members of the genus Dielis are found in the Americas and are associated with scarab beetle larvae as hosts.
Scolia
digger wasps, blue-winged digger wasps
Scolia is a genus of digger wasps in the family Scoliidae. Adult females hunt scarab beetle grubs in soil, paralyze them with a sting, and deposit eggs on the living host. The wasp larvae consume the grub from the outside, eventually pupating in the burrow and overwintering before emerging the following summer. Several species are common in North American lawns and gardens, where they serve as important biological control agents of turf pests.
Scolia dubia
Blue-winged Scoliid Wasp, Two-spotted Scoliid Wasp, Blue-winged Digger Wasp
Scolia dubia is a medium-sized scoliid wasp, 20–25 mm in length, with striking iridescent blue-black wings and a black-and-red body marked by two yellow spots on the abdomen. The species ranges across eastern and central North America, from New England to Florida and west to California. It is a specialist parasitoid of scarab beetle grubs, particularly the green June beetle (Cotinis nitida), and has been observed attacking Japanese beetle (Popillia japonica) larvae. Adults are nectar feeders, frequently visiting flowers of the mint and aster families.