Feather-Legged Scoliid Wasp

dielis plumipes

The Feather-Legged Scoliid Wasp is an ecologically beneficial insect native to North America. Adults are frequently spotted buzzing between flowers, drinking nectar, and acting as important pollinators. However, beneath this peaceful nectar-sipping behavior lies a highly specialized lifestyle. Female wasps search sandy soils for subterranean scarab beetle larvae, particularly June beetles. Upon finding a grub, the female stings it to paralyze it, lays a single egg on its body, and leaves it. This ensures the emerging wasp larva has a fresh food source, making these wasps an organic pest control agent. Take the ultimate field guide with you and identify Feather-Legged Scoliid Wasp using the Snappit app.

Habitat: Typically found in open, sunny habitats with sandy soils, such as dunes, fields, gardens, and pine barrens, where scarab beetle hosts are abundant.

Appearance

This medium-to-large wasp typically measures between 1 and 3 centimeters in length, featuring a robust, hairy black body adorned with prominent yellow bands across its abdomen. The wings are translucent with a dark, smoky brownish tint. True to its name, the female possesses dense, brush-like black fringes of hair on her hind legs, which are used for digging through sandy soils. Males are generally smaller and slimmer, lacking the pronounced leg feathers and having longer antennae.

KingdomAnimaliaPhylumArthropodaClassInsectaOrderHymenopteraFamilyScoliidaeGenusDielis

Feather-Legged Scoliid Wasp

Interesting facts

Despite their intimidating size and stingers, females are non-aggressive toward humans and will only sting if directly handled.

Scoliid wasps do not build nests; instead, they leave their eggs directly on paralyzed grubs deep in the soil where they find them.

The 'feathers' on the female's hind legs are not for show; they are vital tools for sweeping away sand while digging for beetle grubs.

Special abilities

Females can detect the underground movements of scarab beetle larvae through sandy soil using specialized sensory receptors.

The dense, feather-like bristles on the hind legs of the female act as highly efficient shovels, allowing her to rapidly burrow into loose dirt.

The female delivers a precise sting to the motor centers of beetle grubs, rendering them permanently paralyzed but alive to feed her offspring.

Measurements & details

Length: 1-3 cm
Wingspan: 2-4 cm
Weight: 0.0001-0.0003 kg
Lifespan: 1 years
Top Speed: 15 km/h
Clutch Size: 20-70
Incubation: 2-4 days

Diet & Feeding

Adult wasps feed exclusively on floral nectar from various plants, while the developing larvae are carnivorous, consuming paralyzed scarab beetle grubs underground.

Age differences: Adults feed on flower nectar for energy, whereas larvae are strictly carnivorous parasitoids feeding on a single beetle host.

Primary Foods

Floral nectar
June beetle larvae
Scarab beetle grubs
Pollen

Foraging Method

Foraging

Ecological connections

parasite

June Beetle

Phyllophaga anxia

The wasp larvae develop as external parasitoids on the grub of this beetle.

mutualism

Canada Goldenrod

Solidago canadensis

Adult wasps feed on nectar from the flowers, assisting in pollination.

Traits

No trait badges are assigned for this object yet.

Also known as

No aliases listed yet.

Collections

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Safety

Danger

1/5 · Very low

No special safety notes yet.

Frequently Asked Questions

How to identify Feather-Legged Scoliid Wasp?

The easiest way to identify Feather-Legged Scoliid Wasp is to use the Snappit nature identifier app.

How long is Feather-Legged Scoliid Wasp?

1-3 cm

What is Feather-Legged Scoliid Wasp's wingspan?

2-4 cm

How much does Feather-Legged Scoliid Wasp weigh?

0.0001-0.0003 kg

How long does Feather-Legged Scoliid Wasp live?

1 years

How fast can Feather-Legged Scoliid Wasp move?

15 km/h

What does Feather-Legged Scoliid Wasp eat?

Adult wasps feed exclusively on floral nectar from various plants, while the developing larvae are carnivorous, consuming paralyzed scarab beetle grubs underground.

Where is Feather-Legged Scoliid Wasp usually found?

Typically found in open, sunny habitats with sandy soils, such as dunes, fields, gardens, and pine barrens, where scarab beetle hosts are abundant.