Media
Scientific Name
Scolia bicincta
Family
Scoliidae (scoliid wasps) in order Hymenoptera (ants, bees, wasps)
Description
The double-banded scoliid wasp is a common Missouri species of scoliid (sko-LEE-ud) wasp. Like other scoliids, its posture is rather bent or curled, with hairs on the abdomen. The wings have distinctive corrugations: lengthwise, roughly parallel wrinkles on the outer half or two-thirds of the wings.
This species has two cream-colored bands on the front half of the abdomen, something like a mason wasp. (The species name, bicincta, means “two-banded.”)
Like other scoliids, adults of this species are usually seen visiting flowers for nectar, but in its immature stages, it eats beetle grubs in the scarab family.
Learn more about this and other scoliid wasps on their group page.
Other Common Names
Scoliid Wasp
Where To Find
Statewide.
Title
Media Gallery
Image
Caption
The double-banded scoliid wasp (Scolia bicincta) is a common scoliid wasp. Most people see scoliid wasps as adults as they drink nectar from flowers. As larvae, they eat beetle grubs underground.
Credit
Julianna Schroeder
Right to Use
Use of this image is restricted to MDC only
Image
Caption
The double-banded scoliid wasp (Scolia bicincta), and other members of the scoliid family, are named for their bent posture. The genus name, Scolia, has the same root as the word scoliosis, or curvature of the spine. Now you can remember the genus name and a key ID feature!
Credit
Julianna Schroeder
Right to Use
Use of this image is restricted to MDC only
Image
Caption
The double-banded scoliid wasp (Scolia bicincta) is a common scoliid wasp. In this closeup, note the lengthwise, roughly parallel wrinkles on the outer portion of the wings: this corrugated pattern is a key ID feature for the scoliid wasp family.
Credit
Julianna Schroeder
Right to Use
Use of this image is restricted to MDC only
Image
Caption
The double-banded scoliid wasp (Scolia bicincta) is a common scoliid wasp. Note the two cream-colored abdominal bands, fuzzy hairs on the abdomen, and curled body posture.
Credit
Julianna Schroeder
Right to Use
Use of this image is restricted to MDC only
Image
Image
Image
Image
Title
Similar Species
Similar Species
Media
Media
Media
Media
Media
Media
About Land Invertebrates in Missouri
Invertebrates are animals without backbones, including earthworms, slugs, snails, and arthropods. Arthropods—invertebrates with “jointed legs” — are a group of invertebrates that includes crayfish, shrimp, millipedes, centipedes, mites, spiders, and insects. There may be as many as 10 million species of insects alive on earth today, and they probably constitute more than 90 percent all animal species.