Eight-spotted Scoliid Wasp
Colpa octomaculata
This record describes Colpa octomaculata (species). Recorded family: Scoliidae. Recorded order: Hymenoptera.
Identification and Appearance
yellow abdominal bands may vary in thickness slightly; usually it's yellow maculation on black background, but some individuals may have a significant amount of red. ♂ ♀ western varieties have more red vs. black on the body, legs and head (per Bob Biagi's 6.vi.2017 comment) Overview of Species Subspecies are separated following Bradley (1928): 1. C. octomaculata hermione : legs black, body black without red markings, fringe on abdominal segments coppery and inconspicuous, smaller (10-15 mm) 2. C. octomaculata octomaculata : legs red, head usually red, body dark, fringe on abdominal segments black and not conspicuous, larger (23-25 mm) 3. C. octomaculata texensis : legs red, head red, body red-marked, fringe on abdominal segments coppery and conspicuous, smaller (18-20 mm)
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
sw US, se seaboard (BG data)
About Flies: the wider group
Order-level background for Hymenoptera, the group containing Colpa octomaculata. 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 Eight-spotted Scoliid Wasp (2)
Photo credits: Contributed by Hartmut Wisch; Additional contributions by Mike Quinn , waspGeorge , v belov , Robert H. Biagi , PaleoJon
Frequently Asked Questions About Eight-spotted Scoliid Wasp
What is Eight-spotted Scoliid Wasp?
Eight-spotted Scoliid Wasp (Colpa octomaculata) is a species in the family Scoliidae, within the order Hymenoptera.
How do you identify Eight-spotted Scoliid Wasp?
yellow abdominal bands may vary in thickness slightly; usually it's yellow maculation on black background, but some individuals may have a significant amount of red. ♂ ♀ western varieties have more red vs. black on the body, legs and head (per Bob Biagi's 6.vi.2017 comment) Overview of Species Subspecies are separated following Bradley (1928): 1. C. octomaculata hermione : legs black, body black without red markings, fringe on abdominal segments coppery and inconspicuous, smaller (10-15 mm) 2. C. octomaculata octomaculata : legs red, head usually red, body dark, fringe on abdominal segments black and not conspicuous, larger (23-25 mm) 3. C. octomaculata texensis : legs red, head red, body red-marked, fringe on abdominal segments coppery and conspicuous, smaller (18-20 mm)
Where is Eight-spotted Scoliid Wasp found?
Range: sw US, se seaboard (BG data)