Scolia dubia has compound eyes and antennae which are used to perceive the environment. They recognize opposite sex because of slight sexual dimorphism in antennae length, and possibly through the use of pheromones. This species uses a courtship dance consisting of flying in a figure eight pattern to communicate with and attract mates.
Communication Channels: visual ; tactile ; chemical
Other Communication Modes: pheromones
Perception Channels: visual ; tactile ; chemical
Scolia dubia is common and abundant in its wide geographical range. This abundance likely makes this species of least concern to many conservation initiatives.
US Federal List: no special status
CITES: no special status
Eggs hatch on grubs paralyzed by their mother. The larva feeds on the grub for about a week and then spins a cocoon. The wasp likely overwinters in this pupal state and emerges as an adult after approximately 3 weeks.
Development - Life Cycle: metamorphosis ; diapause
Scolia dubia rarely stings people and is not aggressive unless provoked.
This species can be an indication of grub infestation and can also be used as a control method of a beetle grub infestation. Scolia dubia populations have been introduced as biological control for some species of white grubs. They also may aid slightly in the pollination of wild flowers.
Positive Impacts: controls pest population
Scolia dubia is parasitic upon larvae of beetle grubs including those of green June beetles and Japanese beetles. These two beetle species can cause considerable damage to plants in their ecosystems, and thus Scolia dubia help to keep populations under control and ecosystems healthy. These wasps have been introduced as biological control against Japanese beetles in areas where beetle populations were too abundant. Scolia dubia also consume nectar as adults, and thus may serve as a pollinator for flower species it feeds upon.
Ecosystem Impact: pollinates; parasite
Species Used as Host:
Scolia dubia larvae are born on green June beetle (Cotinis nitida) and Japanese beetle grubs (Popillia japonica). Females paralyze a grub which serves as the primary food source for developing larvae. Adults feed on flower nectar.
Animal Foods: insects
Plant Foods: nectar
Primary Diet: herbivore (Nectarivore )
This species ranges throughout most of the southern United States from New England to Florida to beyond the Rocky Mountains.
Biogeographic Regions: nearctic (Native )
This wasp is found in temperate habitats across the southern half of the United States. A basic requirement is soil with grubs. Large populations of this species are associated with large populations of Cotinus nitida, the green June beetle, for example. They are often found in fields, meadows, or lawns where grubs are abundant and easily found.
Habitat Regions: temperate ; terrestrial
Terrestrial Biomes: savanna or grassland
Other Habitat Features: suburban ; agricultural
Once the larvae hatch from cocoons, the wasps only live for one season. Blue-winged wasps are in their adult phase for just 4 to 5 months.
Typical lifespan
Status: wild: 4 to 5 months.
The adults have black antennae (longer on males) with a shiny bluish-black head, thorax, and fore-abdomen. On each side of the abdomen is a yellow spot (absent sometimes). Their black wings look blue in some light, hence the common name blue-winged wasps. Their bodies are fairly hairy and beyond the spots their abdomen appears more brownish with red hairs. The antennae, maxillary and labial palps are one-segmented. There is a slit-like silk gland on the labium. Adults measure 20 to 25 mm in length. Larva is a white, legless grub with a brown head.
Range length: 20 to 25 mm.
Average length: 23 mm.
Sexual Dimorphism: sexes alike
Other Physical Features: ectothermic ; bilateral symmetry
Scolia dubia is prey to birds and predatory insects. Its means of defense as an adult is its sting, which can be handled by experienced predators. Coloration, specifically the yellow abdomen spots, may serve as a warning of the wasps' ability to sting.
Anti-predator Adaptations: aposematic
Both sexes of Scolia dubia are reported to perform mating dances. These dances consist of flying inches above the ground in figure eight patterns. Little additional information is known regarding mating systems for this species.
Scolia dubia breeds once yearly between April and November, depending on geographic location. Once fertilized, the female begins searching for a host to lay her egg upon. She locates a grub by burrowing through the soil using her mandibles and spiny legs. When she finds a host she will sting it in the neck, paralyzing it. She will then implant her egg on the third segment of the grub. When the larva hatches about a week later it will use the grub as a fresh food supply. A larva completes metamorphosis and emerges above ground as an adult after approximately 3 weeks.
Breeding interval: Scolia dubia breeds once yearly.
Breeding season: Depending on the region it can be anywhere from April to November.
Average eggs per season: 1-2 egg(s) per day for 2 months.
Average gestation period: 1 weeks.
Key Reproductive Features: semelparous ; seasonal breeding ; sexual ; fertilization (Internal ); oviparous
Females provide a food source and a nest to nourish and protect their young during development. The female lays the fertilized egg in or on a grub shortly after mating. Females will dig underground tunnels to reach suitable grub hosts. Females will construct a cell surrounding the grub to serve as a space for her larvae to grow and develop after hatching. Sometimes before laying her egg, the female drags the grub deeper in the soil. After initial fertilization, males provide no parental care.
Parental Investment: female parental care ; pre-fertilization (Provisioning, Protecting: Female); pre-hatching/birth (Provisioning: Female, Protecting: Female)
Scolia dubia, also known as the two-spotted scoliid wasp or a blue-winged scoliid 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]
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]
Males of this species have been observed taking part in large mating flights from mid-August to early September in Virginia.[3] Males have longer antennae than females do.[1][3]
Scolia dubia, also known as the two-spotted scoliid wasp or a blue-winged scoliid 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. 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.
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.
Males of this species have been observed taking part in large mating flights from mid-August to early September in Virginia. Males have longer antennae than females do.