Toltec Scoliid Wasp
Dielis tolteca
This record describes Dielis tolteca (species). Recorded family: Scoliidae. Recorded order: Hymenoptera.
Identification and Appearance
Females are separated from D. pilipes by their orange-marked abdomens as the only such campsomerine species of the western US. Structurally, the propodeum is smooth, in contrast to the punctate propodeum of D. pilipes . The orange abdominal color is only shared with D. dorsata , which has been introduced to Florida from the Caribbean. Males are separated from D. pilipes by having four abdominal bands (5 in D. pilipes ). They are immensely similar to the eastern D. plumipes , which is only known to co-occur in Texas.
Wikipedia reference for Dielis tolteca: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Dielis_tolteca.
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
sw US (CA to c. TX) / n. Mex. - Map (Discover Life)
Diet and Behavior
Life History
males can be common on Solidago (Asteraceae) in so. TX Det. M. A. Quinn, 2015
About Flies: the wider group
Order-level background for Hymenoptera, the group containing Dielis tolteca. 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 Toltec Scoliid Wasp (3)
Photo credits: Contributed by Jeff Hollenbeck; Additional contributions by Mike Quinn , waspGeorge , v belov , PaleoJon
Frequently Asked Questions About Toltec Scoliid Wasp
What is Toltec Scoliid Wasp?
Toltec Scoliid Wasp (Dielis tolteca) is a species in the family Scoliidae, within the order Hymenoptera.
How do you identify Toltec Scoliid Wasp?
Females are separated from D. pilipes by their orange-marked abdomens as the only such campsomerine species of the western US. Structurally, the propodeum is smooth, in contrast to the punctate propodeum of D. pilipes . The orange abdominal color is only shared with D. dorsata , which has been introduced to Florida from the Caribbean. Males are separated from D. pilipes by having four abdominal bands (5 in D. pilipes ). They are immensely similar to the eastern D. plumipes , which is only known to co-occur in Texas.
Where is Toltec Scoliid Wasp found?
Range: sw US (CA to c. TX) / n. Mex. - Map (Discover Life)
What is the life cycle of a Toltec Scoliid Wasp?
males can be common on Solidago (Asteraceae) in so. TX Det. M. A. Quinn, 2015