Feather-legged Scoliid Wasp
Dielis plumipes
This record describes Dielis plumipes (species). Recorded family: Scoliidae. Recorded order: Hymenoptera.
Identification and Appearance
Medium-sized, with long, white body setae; clypeus entirely black; pronotum entirely black; four abdominal bands of ivory to pale yellow. Female additionally with a thick collar of reddish to yellowish setae. D. plumipes confluenta - female (left) and male (right). Abdominal bands broader in both sexes, males with greenish reflections on the tergum and widely interrupted bands on the sternites. Central to midwest US, west of the Appalachians (plains region) D. plumipes fossulana - female (left) and male (right). Abdominal bands very narrow in both sexes, females with conspicuously reddish-brown hairs on the pronotum, males with blueish reflections on the tergum and narrowly interrupted bands on the sternites. Southeastern to southcentral US (Austroriparian range) D. plumipes plumipes - female (left) and male (right). Abdominal bands broader in both sexes, males with greenish reflections on the tergum and widely interrupted bands on the sternites. Northeastern US, east of the Appalachians (Austral life range)
Wikipedia reference for Dielis plumipes: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Dielis_plumipes.
Classification
- Kingdom
- Animalia
- Phylum
- Arthropoda
- Class
- Insecta
- Order
- Hymenoptera (Ants, Bees, Wasps and Sawflies)
- Superfamily
- Scolioidea
- Family
- Scoliidae (Scoliid Wasps)
- Tribe
- Campsomerini
- Genus
- Dielis
Imported taxonomy record. Source availability varies; see the source references and editorial policy below.
Habitat and Range
Geographic Range
widespread east of the Rocky Mountains
Diet and Behavior
Life History
Scoliid wasps are parasitic upon larvae of soil-inhabiting scarab beetles. Flower visitation records for adults were given by Krombein for D. p. fossulana , and Kurczewski reported on the biology of D. p. confluenta .
About Flies: the wider group
Order-level background for Hymenoptera, the group containing Dielis plumipes. 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 Feather-legged Scoliid Wasp (3)
Photo credits: Contributed by Lynette Elliott; Additional contributions by cotinis , Mike Quinn , waspGeorge , v belov , KenW , Robert H. Biagi , PaleoJon
Frequently Asked Questions About Feather-legged Scoliid Wasp
What is Feather-legged Scoliid Wasp?
Feather-legged Scoliid Wasp (Dielis plumipes) is a species in the family Scoliidae, within the order Hymenoptera.
How big is Feather-legged Scoliid Wasp?
15-25 mm
How do you identify Feather-legged Scoliid Wasp?
Medium-sized, with long, white body setae; clypeus entirely black; pronotum entirely black; four abdominal bands of ivory to pale yellow. Female additionally with a thick collar of reddish to yellowish setae. D. plumipes confluenta - female (left) and male (right). Abdominal bands broader in both sexes, males with greenish reflections on the tergum and widely interrupted bands on the sternites. Central to midwest US, west of the Appalachians (plains region) D. plumipes fossulana - female (left) and male (right). Abdominal bands very narrow in both sexes, females with conspicuously reddish-brown hairs on the pronotum, males with blueish reflections on the tergum and narrowly interrupted bands on the sternites. Southeastern to southcentral US (Austroriparian range) D. plumipes plumipes - female (left) and male (right). Abdominal bands broader in both sexes, males with greenish reflections on the tergum and widely interrupted bands on the sternites. Northeastern US, east of the Appalachians (Austral life range)
Where is Feather-legged Scoliid Wasp found?
Range: widespread east of the Rocky Mountains
What is the life cycle of a Feather-legged Scoliid Wasp?
Scoliid wasps are parasitic upon larvae of soil-inhabiting scarab beetles. Flower visitation records for adults were given by Krombein for D. p. fossulana , and Kurczewski reported on the biology of D. p. confluenta .