Family SCOLIIDAE
Compiler and date details
29 May 2012 - Michael G. Elliott, Australian Museum, 6 College Street, Sydney NSW 2010 and Danielle N. Stringer, John T. Jennings & Andrew D. Austin, Australian Centre for Evolutionary Biology and School of Earth & Environmental Sciences, The University of Adelaide SA 5005
Introduction
This is a moderate-sized family of medium to large wasps (15–35 mm) that can be identified by their robust and densely hairy body; inner margin of eyes emarginate; pronotum with posterior margin U-shaped; latero-posterior pronotum truncate and reaching to the tegula; mid and hind tibiae with stout spines; propodeum tripartite (divided into three areas); and outer fore wing with pseudovenation. Although there are about 300 species worldwide, only 20 species have been described from Australia. Most species are black, sometimes blue-black, and they often have white or yellow markings. Sexual dimorphism is common, with the sexes varying in colour pattern, often making them difficult to associate.
Females dig into soil or rotting wood where they paralyse beetle larvae before depositing an egg. The solitary scoliid larva then develops ectoparasitically.
General References
Brothers, D.J. & Finnamore, A.T. 1993. Superfamily Vespoidea. pp. 161-278 in Goulet, H. & Huber, J.T. (eds). Hymenoptera of the World: An Identification Guide to Families. Ottawa : Research Branch, Agriculture Canada 668 pp.
Elliott, M.G. 2011. Annotated catalogue of the Australian Scoliidae (Hymenoptera). Technical Reports of the Australian Museum 22: 1-17
History of changes
| Published | As part of group | Action Date | Action Type | Compiler(s) |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 07-Aug-2012 | 25-Jul-2012 | MODIFIED | ||
| 12-Feb-2010 | (import) |