Colpa flammicoma
This record describes Colpa flammicoma (species). Recorded family: Scoliidae. Recorded order: Hymenoptera.
Identification and Appearance
Female with interantennal space strongly elevated into a platform; head red; pronotum, propodeum, and abdomen with yellow lateral spots; abdomen with ground color reddish Male with somewhat clubbed antennae; thorax and abdomen with extensive yellow markings; abdomen with ground color reddish Colpa (Colpa) octomaculata texensis females in the southwest may be dearly identical in coloration to Colpa (Crioscolia) alcione> . They are distinguishable by the less (or non-) elevated interantennal platform and by the undivided scutellum. Scolia nobilitata tricincta females in the southern California to Baja California area are also nearly identical in coloration. This form can be distinguished by the yellow band on the vertex and only one recurrent vein in the forewing.
Classification
- Kingdom
- Animalia
- Phylum
- Arthropoda
- Class
- Insecta
- Order
- Hymenoptera (Ants, Bees, Wasps and Sawflies)
- Superfamily
- Scolioidea
- Family
- Scoliidae (Scoliid Wasps)
- Tribe
- Campsomerini
- Genus
- Colpa
Imported taxonomy record. Source availability varies; see the source references and editorial policy below.
Habitat and Range
Geographic Range
NM west to CA (Lower Sonoran Zone)
Additional species information
Species notes from the sources
Etymology: Colpa (Crioscolia) flammicoma (Bradley, 1928)
About Flies: the wider group
Order-level background for Hymenoptera, the group containing Colpa flammicoma. Species-specific details appear above.
Group overview
Hymenoptera includes over 150,000 described species of ants, bees, wasps, and sawflies. Earth harbors approximately 20 quadrillion (20×10^15) ants, with a combined biomass of ~12 megatons of dry carbon - exceeding the combined biomass of all wild birds and mammals (PNAS, 2022).
Ecological role of the group
About 35% of the world's food crops depend on animal pollinators. The chocolate industry, valued at over $100 billion, depends on pollinating flies and midges. Ants are the dominant soil engineers in most terrestrial ecosystems, turning more soil than earthworms in many habitats.
Economic and practical significance of the group
Pollinators contribute $235-577 billion worth of annual global food production (FAO). In the U.S., bee pollination alone benefits crops valued at $18 billion annually, and honey bees are responsible for $5.4 billion in agricultural productivity. Between April 2023-2024, 55.1% of managed honey bee colonies were lost. The U.S. bee population dropped from 5 million to 2.5 million.
Recorded sources for this group: FAO, USDA, EPA, PNAS (2022), US Fish & Wildlife Service. Imported estimates may describe particular regions or reporting periods.
Photos of Colpa flammicoma (5)
Photo credits: Contributed by George Waldren; Additional contributions by v belov , PaleoJon
Frequently Asked Questions About Colpa flammicoma
What is Colpa flammicoma?
Colpa flammicoma is a species in the family Scoliidae, within the order Hymenoptera.
How do you identify Colpa flammicoma?
Female with interantennal space strongly elevated into a platform; head red; pronotum, propodeum, and abdomen with yellow lateral spots; abdomen with ground color reddish Male with somewhat clubbed antennae; thorax and abdomen with extensive yellow markings; abdomen with ground color reddish
Where is Colpa flammicoma found?
Range: NM west to CA (Lower Sonoran Zone)