Bicolored Crown Wasp
Megischus bicolor
This record describes Megischus bicolor (species). Recorded family: Stephanidae. Recorded order: Hymenoptera.
Identification and Appearance
Reported to have two morphs, previously described as subspecies: one with head and pronotum ferrugineous ( M. b. bicolor ) and another uniformly brown or blackish ( M. b. sickmanni ) ( Stephanid home page -Alexandre Pires Aguiar) vs. The former M. b. bicolor (leftmost) versus M. b. sickmanni (right 2, ♀ and ♂) The only other stephanid to occur east of Oklahoma and Texas is M. brunneus in southern Florida.
Wikipedia reference for Megischus bicolor: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Megischus_bicolor.
Classification
- Kingdom
- Animalia
- Phylum
- Arthropoda
- Class
- Insecta
- Order
- Hymenoptera (Ants, Bees, Wasps and Sawflies)
- Superfamily
- Stephanoidea
- Family
- Stephanidae (Crown Wasps)
- Genus
- Megischus
Imported taxonomy record. Source availability varies; see the source references and editorial policy below.
Habitat and Range
Habitat
Coniferous and mixed woodlands
Geographic Range
Widespread eastern US to TX and se. AZ. Aguiar notes that the majority of prior records from the western US correspond to M. annectens (CA) and M. brevicaudatus (AZ, TX).
Seasonal Activity
May-July (southeast), later in year in Florida, apparently (guide photos).
Diet and Behavior
Diet: Male reported from a wounded mulberry, Morus , in Texas , so perhaps they take sap and other fluids.
Life History
Parasitoids of beetles and/or wasps. Adult seen on the trunk of a pine tree (Loblolly Pine, Pinus taeda ) in Orange County, North Carolina. The "crown-of-thorns" on the head is thought to help the adult emerge from its pupation site. Aguiar reports they are attracted to blue objects. He used blue bowls with soap solution to collect them.
About Flies: the wider group
Order-level background for Hymenoptera, the group containing Megischus bicolor. 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 Bicolored Crown Wasp (3)
Photo credits: Contributed by Cotinis; Additional contributions by PaleoJon
Frequently Asked Questions About Bicolored Crown Wasp
What is Bicolored Crown Wasp?
Bicolored Crown Wasp (Megischus bicolor) is a species in the family Stephanidae, within the order Hymenoptera.
How big is Bicolored Crown Wasp?
20 mm--male , female body about 25 mm (1 inch), including ovipositor, 50 mm or more ( guide photo ).
How do you identify Bicolored Crown Wasp?
Reported to have two morphs, previously described as subspecies: one with head and pronotum ferrugineous ( M. b. bicolor ) and another uniformly brown or blackish ( M. b. sickmanni ) ( Stephanid home page -Alexandre Pires Aguiar) vs. The former M. b. bicolor (leftmost) versus M. b. sickmanni (right 2, ♀ and ♂)
Where is Bicolored Crown Wasp found?
| Feature | Details |
|---|---|
| Habitat | Coniferous and mixed woodlands |
| Range | Widespread eastern US to TX and se. AZ. Aguiar notes that the majority of prior records from the western US correspond to M. annectens (CA) and M. brevicaudatus (AZ, TX). |
What does Bicolored Crown Wasp eat?
The diet of the Bicolored Crown Wasp includes Male reported from a wounded mulberry, Morus , in Texas , so perhaps they take sap and other fluids..
When is Bicolored Crown Wasp active?
Bicolored Crown Wasp: seasonal activity - May-July (southeast), later in year in Florida, apparently (guide photos)..
What is the life cycle of a Bicolored Crown Wasp?
Parasitoids of beetles and/or wasps. Adult seen on the trunk of a pine tree (Loblolly Pine, Pinus taeda ) in Orange County, North Carolina. The crown-of-thorns on the head is thought to help the adult emerge from its pupation site. Aguiar reports they are attracted to blue objects. He used blue bowls with soap solution to collect them.