# Three-banded Scoliid Wasp (*Dielis trifasciata*) The Three-banded Scoliid Wasp is a special insect with bright colors and three bold bands on its body. It loves to fly around flowers and is important for helping plants grow. - **Category:** [Insects](https://www.snappit.app/explore/categories/insect) - **Rarity:** Common - **Danger:** 2/5 · Low - **Habitat:** Grasslands ![Three-banded Scoliid Wasp](https://commons.wikimedia.org/w/index.php?title=Special:Redirect/file/Campsomeris_trifasciata%252C_Arthur_Marshall_Loxahatchee_National_Wildlife_Refuge%252C_Boynton_Beach%252C_Florida.jpg&width=800) Photo: Judy Gallagher, CC BY 2.0 · [Wikimedia Commons](https://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:Campsomeris_trifasciata%252C_Arthur_Marshall_Loxahatchee_National_Wildlife_Refuge%252C_Boynton_Beach%252C_Florida.jpg) ## Appearance The Three-banded Scoliid Wasp has a stout, fuzzy black body, often with a reddish-orange head and legs. Its dark, smoky wings feature a metallic blue sheen, setting it apart. The most distinctive feature is the three bright yellow bands across its abdomen. ## Taxonomy - **Kingdom:** Animalia - **Phylum:** Arthropoda - **Class:** Insecta - **Order:** Hymenoptera - **Family:** Scoliidae - **Genus:** Dielis ## Interesting facts - After stinging prey, the wasp lays a single egg on it, providing food for her larva. - Female wasps find beetle grubs hidden underground using incredible scent-detection skills! - These fuzzy, dark wasps are often mistaken for large, furry bees due to their appearance! - They are "solitary" wasps, meaning each female builds a nest and raises her young alone. ## Special abilities - **Grub Locator:** Three-banded Scoliid Wasp can expertly locate beetle grubs underground because of its keen sense of smell, vital for its larvae's survival. - **Pollen Delivery:** Three-banded Scoliid Wasp has a hairy body that helps them carry pollen between flowers, making them accidental plant helpers. - **Stunner Sting:** Three-banded Scoliid Wasp can deliver a paralyzing sting to its prey, rendering large beetle grubs immobile for its offspring. ## Measurements & details - **Wingspan:** 30-50 mm - **Size:** 15-25 mm - **Lifespan:** 30-60 days - **Leg Count:** 6 ## Diet & Feeding Adults drink flower nectar, while their young develop by eating beetle grubs found underground. - **Age differences:** Adults feed on flower nectar, while larvae are parasitic on large beetle grubs found underground. - **Primary Foods:** flower nectar, scarab beetle grubs, June beetle grubs, oriental beetle grubs - **Foraging Method:** Foraging ## Ecological connections - **Hunts:** [Japanese Beetle](https://www.snappit.app/explore/japanese-beetle) (*Popillia japonica*) — Larvae parasitize grubs of this invasive beetle. - **Hunts:** [June Bug](https://www.snappit.app/explore/june-bug) (*Phyllophaga fusca*) — Female wasps lay eggs on these native beetle grubs. - **Pollinates:** [Canada Goldenrod](https://www.snappit.app/explore/canada-goldenrod) (*Solidago canadensis*) — Adults feed on nectar and collect pollen from these flowers. - **Eaten by:** [American Robin](https://www.snappit.app/explore/american-robin) (*Turdus migratorius*) — Birds like robins may prey on adult wasps. ## Traits - [Striped](https://www.snappit.app/explore/traits/striped): Marked with parallel bands or lines of color. - [Solitary](https://www.snappit.app/explore/traits/solitary): Solitary animals live alone for most of their lives, only interacting with others for mating or parental care. - [Colorful](https://www.snappit.app/explore/traits/colorful): Colorful describes organisms or objects displaying a wide range of bright and distinct colors. - [Grassland](https://www.snappit.app/explore/traits/grassland): Grassland habitats are terrestrial biomes dominated by grasses and herbaceous plants, supporting a variety of grazing animals. - [Insectivorous](https://www.snappit.app/explore/traits/insectivorous): This trait identifies organisms whose diet primarily consists of insects and other small invertebrates. - [Pollinator Magnet](https://www.snappit.app/explore/traits/pollinator-magnet): Describes plants that are particularly attractive and beneficial to a wide range of pollinating organisms. - [Diurnal](https://www.snappit.app/explore/traits/diurnal): Diurnal animals are primarily active during daylight hours, typically resting or sleeping at night. - [Keystone Species](https://www.snappit.app/explore/traits/keystone-species): Describes a species whose presence and role have a disproportionately large effect on its environment. - [Pollinator](https://www.snappit.app/explore/traits/pollinator): Describes organisms that transfer pollen, enabling the fertilization and reproduction of plants. ## Collections - [Insects](https://www.snappit.app/explore/collections/insects) ## Safety **Danger:** 2/5 · Low If you see a wasp, watch it from a distance and don't try to touch it. ## Frequently Asked Questions ### How to identify Three-banded 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. ### What is Three-banded Scoliid Wasp's wingspan? 30-50 mm ### How big is Three-banded Scoliid Wasp? 15-25 mm ### How long does Three-banded Scoliid Wasp live? 30-60 days ### What does Three-banded Scoliid Wasp eat? Adults drink flower nectar, while their young develop by eating beetle grubs found underground. ### Where is Three-banded Scoliid Wasp usually found? Grasslands ### How does Three-banded Scoliid Wasp hunt? Foraging ### How many legs does Three-banded Scoliid Wasp have? 6 ## Where to spot - [Bill Baggs Cape Florida State Park](https://www.snappit.app/guides/places/bill-baggs-cape-florida-state-park) — Florida, US · State Park ## 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: [Three-banded Scoliid Wasp: Facts & Places to See — Snappit](https://www.snappit.app/explore/three-banded-scoliid-wasp)