# Blue-Winged Scoliid Wasp (*scolia dubia*) The Blue-Winged Scoliid Wasp, scientifically known as Scolia dubia, is a striking and highly beneficial insect found across North America. Often misunderstood due to its large size and metallic, almost intimidating wings, this wasp is actually a gentle solitary creature and a gardener's best ally. Rather than building aggressive colonial hives, the female lives a solitary lifestyle focused on seeking out the hidden grubs of scarab beetles. By controlling the populations of destructive pests like the Green June Beetle and the invasive Japanese Beetle, the Blue-Winged Scoliid Wasp plays a crucial role in maintaining healthy soil and plant ecosystems. Witnessing their graceful, low-hovering figure-eight flights over a summer lawn is a testament to nature's built-in pest control system. - **Category:** [Insects](https://www.snappit.app/explore/categories/insect) - **Rarity:** Common - **Danger:** 1/5 · Very low - **Snaps:** 2 - **Habitat:** Found in open meadows, pastures, gardens, and residential lawns where their host scarab beetle grubs are abundant beneath the soil. ![Blue-Winged Scoliid Wasp](https://inaturalist-open-data.s3.amazonaws.com/photos/53949501/medium.jpeg) Photo: Douglas Goldman, CC BY-SA 4.0 · [iNaturalist](https://www.inaturalist.org/photos/53949501) ## Appearance This wasp measures roughly two centimeters in length and is easily identified by its unique, multi-colored body. The head, thorax, and first two abdominal segments are a sleek, jet black, while the lower half of the abdomen transitions into a rusty red or vibrant orange. Its most defining field mark is the presence of two distinct, bright yellow oval spots on the third abdominal segment. The wings are a stunning, iridescent dark blue or purplish-black that shimmer metallically in the sunlight, laying flat along its back when the insect is at rest. ## Taxonomy - **Kingdom:** Animalia - **Phylum:** Arthropoda - **Class:** Insecta - **Order:** Hymenoptera - **Family:** Scoliidae - **Genus:** Scolia ## Interesting facts - Because they heavily target the grubs of destructive scarab beetles, they are considered one of a gardener's most effective natural pest control agents. - Despite their menacing appearance and large size, male blue-winged scoliid wasps completely lack a stinger. - Females are remarkably docile and rarely sting humans unless they are stepped on or severely mishandled. - Scolia dubia larvae overwinter safely inside the underground soil burrows of their host grubs, spinning a silken cocoon before emerging as adults the following summer. ## Special abilities - **Subterranean Host Detection:** Females possess the remarkable ability to detect scarab beetle grubs hidden deep beneath the soil surface, likely using chemical or vibrational cues. - **Parasitoid Paralyzation:** Using a highly specialized venom, the female wasp permanently paralyzes a beetle grub without killing it, ensuring a fresh food source for her hatching larva. - **Figure-Eight Flight:** Males perform a distinct, low-altitude hovering flight in a figure-eight pattern over the ground to search for newly emerging females. ## Measurements & details - **Length:** 1-3 cm - **Wingspan:** 2-4 cm - **Weight:** 0.0001-0.0005 kg - **Lifespan:** 1 years - **Speed:** 15 km/h - **Clutch Size:** 10-40 - **Incubation:** 2-4 days ## Diet & Feeding Adults feed entirely on floral nectar, while the larvae are obligate carnivorous parasitoids that consume beetle grubs. - **Age differences:** Larvae are entirely carnivorous parasitoids feeding on paralyzed beetle grubs, while mature adults transition to a herbivorous diet consisting only of floral nectar. - **Primary Foods:** Flower nectar, Green June Beetle grubs, Japanese Beetle grubs - **Foraging Method:** Foraging ## Ecological connections - **Parasite:** Green June Beetle (*Cotinis nitida*) — The wasp larvae parasitize and consume the subterranean grubs of this species. - **Parasite:** [Japanese Beetle](https://www.snappit.app/explore/japanese-beetle) (*Popillia japonica*) — Considered an excellent natural biocontrol, the wasp utilizes the grubs of this invasive beetle as larval hosts. - **Mutualism:** [Canada Goldenrod](https://www.snappit.app/explore/canada-goldenrod) (*Solidago canadensis*) — Adult wasps frequently visit these flowers to feed on nectar, aiding in pollination. ## Safety **Danger:** 1/5 · Very low No special safety notes yet. ## Frequently Asked Questions ### How to identify Blue-Winged Scoliid Wasp? Compare the antennae, wings, waist, body hair and legs. Yellow and black stripes show up on bees, wasps and harmless mimics alike. Bee & Wasp Identifier: upload a photo and compare the visible details. ### How long is Blue-Winged Scoliid Wasp? 1-3 cm ### What is Blue-Winged Scoliid Wasp's wingspan? 2-4 cm ### How much does Blue-Winged Scoliid Wasp weigh? 0.0001-0.0005 kg ### How long does Blue-Winged Scoliid Wasp live? 1 years ### How fast can Blue-Winged Scoliid Wasp move? 15 km/h ### What does Blue-Winged Scoliid Wasp eat? Adults feed entirely on floral nectar, while the larvae are obligate carnivorous parasitoids that consume beetle grubs. ### Where is Blue-Winged Scoliid Wasp usually found? Found in open meadows, pastures, gardens, and residential lawns where their host scarab beetle grubs are abundant beneath the soil. ## Where to spot - [Bean Hill Historic District](https://www.snappit.app/guides/places/bean-hill-historic-district) — Connecticut, US · Historic District - [Brooklyn Botanic Garden](https://www.snappit.app/guides/places/brooklyn-botanic-garden) — New York, US · Botanical Garden - [Central Shelby Historic District](https://www.snappit.app/guides/places/central-shelby-historic-district) — North Carolina, US · Historic District - [Chelsea Parade Historic District](https://www.snappit.app/guides/places/chelsea-parade-historic-district) — Connecticut, US · Historic District - [Clinton Hill Historic District](https://www.snappit.app/guides/places/clinton-hill-historic-district) — New York, US · Historic District - [Morris Arboretum](https://www.snappit.app/guides/places/morris-arboretum) — Pennsylvania, US · Botanical Garden [View all places to see Blue-Winged Scoliid Wasp](https://www.snappit.app/guides/where-to-see/blue-winged-scoliid-wasp) ## More Insects - [Common Eastern Bumble Bee](https://www.snappit.app/explore/common-eastern-bumble-bee) (*Bombus impatiens*) - [Spotted Lanternfly](https://www.snappit.app/explore/spotted-lanternfly) (*Lycorma delicatula*) - [Brown-belted Bumble Bee](https://www.snappit.app/explore/brown-belted-bumble-bee) (*Bombus griseocollis*) - [Eastern Carpenter Bee](https://www.snappit.app/explore/eastern-carpenter-bee) (*Xylocopa virginica*) --- Source: [Blue-Winged Scoliid Wasp: Facts & Places to See — Snappit](https://www.snappit.app/explore/blue-winged-scoliid-wasp)