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Scolia hirta

Scolia hirta

The Scolia hirta is a special type of wasp that loves to buzz around flowers. These wasps are important because they help flowers grow by spreading pollen.

Habitat: Grasslands

Appearance

The Scolia hirta is a robust, dark-bodied wasp covered in fine, dense hairs, giving it a velvety appearance. It typically has two prominent, bright yellow or orange spots on its mostly black abdomen, which contrast sharply with its smoky, dark wings. This distinct patterning helps it stand out from other wasps.

KingdomAnimaliaPhylumArthropodaClassInsectaOrderHymenopteraFamilyScoliidaeGenusScolia
Scolia hirta
furry trait badgesocial trait badgegrassland trait badgeherbivorous trait badge
Scolia hirta

Category

Insects

Rarity

Common

Danger

2/5 · Low

Snaps

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Interesting facts

Adult wasps are surprisingly gentle and prefer to fly away than sting!

Female Scolia hirta lays her eggs *inside* living beetle grubs deep underground.

These fuzzy wasps are amazing pollinators, helping many wild flowers produce seeds.

Unlike social bees, this wasp lives alone and raises its young without a colony.

Special abilities

Ability

Digging Dynamo

Scolia hirta has strong digging legs that allow them to burrow into soil, helping them reach the buried beetle larvae hosts.

Ability

Nectar Nurturer

Scolia hirta can sip nectar from flowers using its specialized mouthparts, which helps them get energy for flight and egg-laying.

Ability

Stinger Shield

Scolia hirta has a potent stinger, which helps them defend themselves from threats, though they are usually not aggressive.

Measurements & details

Wingspan
20-50 mm
Size
10-25 mm
Lifespan
30-60 days
Leg Count
6

Diet & Feeding

Adult Scolia hirta sips nectar, while its larvae feast on beetle grubs found underground.

Age differences: Larvae consume beetle grubs, while adults feed on flower nectar.

Primary Foods

  • Flower nectar
  • Rose chafer larvae
  • Rhinoceros beetle larvae
  • Other scarab beetle grubs

Foraging Method

  • Pursuit

Ecological connections

Traits

Also known as

No aliases listed yet.

Collections

Safety

Danger

2/5 · Low

Stay calm if you see a wasp, and don't swat at it. They usually won't bother you.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is Scolia hirta's wingspan?

20-50 mm

How big is Scolia hirta?

10-25 mm

How long does Scolia hirta live?

30-60 days

What does Scolia hirta eat?

Adult Scolia hirta sips nectar, while its larvae feast on beetle grubs found underground.

Where is Scolia hirta usually found?

Grasslands

How does Scolia hirta hunt?

Pursuit

How many legs does Scolia hirta have?

6

Snap Map

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