# Double-banded Scoliid Wasp

*Scolia bicincta*

Females can detect the vibrations of scarab beetle grubs buried deep underground, digging through the soil to paralyze them and lay a single egg on their body.

- **Taxonomy:** Animalia › Arthropoda › Insecta › Hymenoptera › Scoliidae › Scolia
- **IUCN Red List status:** Least Concern
- **Population trend:** stable
- **Biome:** grassland
- **Habitat:** Meadows, sandy fields, forest edges, and suburban gardens.
- **Diet:** Adults feed on wildflower nectar (especially goldenrod and thoroughwort); larvae are parasitoids of scarab beetle grubs.
- **Range:** North America
- **Size:** 20 to 25 mm (0.8 to 1.0 inches) in length.
- **Lifespan:** Approximately 1 year (mostly spent underground as larvae/pupae; adults live for 3 to 5 weeks).
- **Active:** diurnal
- **Threats:** Widespread pesticide use in lawns and gardens, habitat fragmentation, and heavy soil compaction that prevents burrowing.
- **Safe to approach?:** Harmless and non-aggressive. These solitary wasps will not sting unless actively grabbed or stepped on. If you encounter one on a flower, you can safely observe it from inches away. In the rare event of a sting, wash the area with soap and water and apply a cold compress. Seek medical attention only if you experience symptoms of an allergic reaction.

## About

Scolia bicincta , the double-banded scoliid , is a species of scoliid wasp in the family Scoliidae.

## Sources

- Plate: https://gaia-dex.com/species/d1578b0c-ed70-4aff-8d15-2cfde0b642af
- iNaturalist: https://www.inaturalist.org/taxa/119988
- Wikipedia: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Scolia bicincta
- Conservation status: IUCN Red List category, as recorded by Gaia-Dex
- Photo: https://inaturalist-open-data.s3.amazonaws.com/photos/116119350/medium.jpeg (Louise Woodrich, CC-BY, via iNaturalist)

Habitat, diet, size and similar notes are AI-written summaries; check them against the linked sources before relying on them.