Scolia dubia

Scolia dubia, also known as the blue-winged wasp, is a 2.0–2.5-centimeter (0.8–1.0 in) long wasp that ranges from New England to Florida and west to the Rocky Mountains in North America.[1] The head, thorax, and first two abdominal segments are black, while the remainder of the abdomen is red with two bright yellow spots on the third abdominal segment. The distal section of the blue-black wings has longitudinal wrinkles. These wasps collect nectar from flowers in late summer and early fall.[2]

Scolia dubia
Scientific classification
Kingdom: Animalia
Phylum: Arthropoda
Class: Insecta
Order: Hymenoptera
Family: Scoliidae
Genus: Scolia
Species:
S. dubia
Binomial name
Scolia dubia
Say, 1837

Females burrow into ground in search of grubs, particularly those of the green June beetle, Cotinis nitida, and some research suggests, possibly the Japanese beetle, Popillia japonica. The wasp stings the grub and frequently burrows farther down to construct a cell and lay an egg on the host. The larva pupates and overwinters inside the body of the host.[1]

References
  1. "Species Scolia dubia - Blue-winged Wasp". Bug Guide. Retrieved October 8, 2011.
  2. "Scolia dubia". Nature Search. Retrieved October 8, 2011.


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