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TranslateCampsomeris plumipes (Dury, 1770)
Campsomeris plumipes (Drury 1770)
Order Hymenoptera:
Family: Scoliidae
Adult length 15mm to 25mm
Flight time: May to September.
Scoliidae wasps are solitary parasitoids, searching for their prey; the scarab beetle larvae.
This wasp is widespread and common throughout the warm Mediterranean regions of Europe and common in many warm world countries.
The female searches close to the ground for tunnels made by the beetle grub, which feeds continuously on the roots of plants before the beetle grub eventually pupates. When found, the female wasp will paralyze the grub by her stinger; she will then lay a fertilised egg near the grub’s rear. Once the egg has hatched the young wasp larva will continuously feed on the immobile beetle until it pupates, the adult wasp will then emerge in the following spring; the beetle grub does not survive. So, this Scoliidae wasp is considered to be an important bio-control ally for most growers and farmers; against serious pests like the soil-inhabiting scarab beetle larvae.
Adult Campsomeris plumipes can be seen feeding on various flowers for nectar throughout the warm summer months. Males have more of a slender body, also longer antenna’s and three prongs are visible at the end of the abdomen. The male flies in figure eight flight-path patterns, patrolling its territory; always ready to mate with females emerging from the tunnels in the ground.
Read MoreOrder Hymenoptera:
Family: Scoliidae
Adult length 15mm to 25mm
Flight time: May to September.
Scoliidae wasps are solitary parasitoids, searching for their prey; the scarab beetle larvae.
This wasp is widespread and common throughout the warm Mediterranean regions of Europe and common in many warm world countries.
The female searches close to the ground for tunnels made by the beetle grub, which feeds continuously on the roots of plants before the beetle grub eventually pupates. When found, the female wasp will paralyze the grub by her stinger; she will then lay a fertilised egg near the grub’s rear. Once the egg has hatched the young wasp larva will continuously feed on the immobile beetle until it pupates, the adult wasp will then emerge in the following spring; the beetle grub does not survive. So, this Scoliidae wasp is considered to be an important bio-control ally for most growers and farmers; against serious pests like the soil-inhabiting scarab beetle larvae.
Adult Campsomeris plumipes can be seen feeding on various flowers for nectar throughout the warm summer months. Males have more of a slender body, also longer antenna’s and three prongs are visible at the end of the abdomen. The male flies in figure eight flight-path patterns, patrolling its territory; always ready to mate with females emerging from the tunnels in the ground.
