Scolia dubia

Types of Wasps and Bees Types of Bees Wasps

Scoliid Wasps (family Scoliidae), are parasitic ground nesters that lay eggs on beetle larvae.

The picture shows a colorful species, Scolia dubia. Two yellow spots at the top of the red abdomen are good field ID clues.

Other scoliid species can have equally colorful bodies. While the females do sting, unless provoked, they reserve their stings for their prey. They are beneficial insects not only because they are beetle predators, but also because they pollinate flowers in their territory.

© 2009 Patricia A. Michaels