Black wasp with two orange bands on abdomen
Location: Mission, Hidalgo Co., Texas
September 27, 2010 10:23 pm
Can you put a name on this wasp?
Thanks
Signature: Jan Dauphin
Hi Jan,
We have identified your wasp as Campsomeris ephippium, a Flower Wasp in the family Scoliidae. Female wasps in the genus Campsomeris provision the nest with scarab beetle grubs to feed the larvae. All the reports of this species on BugGuide are from Texas. We also have a previous posting of this species which we called a Scarab Hunter Wasp, and it was also found in Texas.
Thank you, thank you so very much!
Jan Dauphin
Mission, TX
To view my photos or for Valley wildlife info.,
go to http://www.thedauphins.net
I live in central Pennsylvania and these wasps are hovering over holes left in the ground by a skunk. From reading your posts, it seems accurate to your theory on larva feeding.
One of these appears to be nectarine on oregano in backyard in albion, michigan.
It’s now in Massachusetts. Huge wasp!! I guess it moved north along with the great white sharks ?