MEGASCOLIA VELUTINA DUCALIS
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Hymenoptera of the world (PDF)
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KINGDOM : Animalia
PHYLUM : Arthropoda
SUBPHYLUM : Hexapoda
CLASS : Insecta
ORDER : Hymenoptera
FAMILY : Scoliidae
GENUS : Megascolia
SPECIES : M. Velutina
SUBSPECIES : M.V. Ducalis
--------------------------------- Scoliid wasp of Florida,Campsomeris,Scolia & Trielis. (PDF) ![]() CLICK FOR DOWNLOAD |
MEGASCOLIA VELUTINA DUCALIS -------------------------------
Megascolia is a genus of large solitary wasps from the family Scoliidae, the species classified under Megascolia include some of the world's largest wasps. They are parasitoids of large Scarabeid beetles such as the European rhinoceros beetle Oryctes nasicornis and Atlas beetle Chalcosoma atlas.
Members of the genus Megascolia are insects belonging to the order Hymenoptera, which includes large size and brightly coloured species. Female hunt for scarab beetle larvae, they burrow into the ground in search of their preys and paralyze their victims using their sting, in order to lay an egg onto them.
Megascolia larvae will consume still living beetle larvae and consequently kill them. This species is very common in some periods of the year, it can be easily spotted when searching for its favourite prey (larvae of the scarab beetle Oryctes nasicornis L.) in stumps and dead woods.
These species are not strictly social insects and do not live in colonies: they form temporary aggregations only when females are looking for larvae or during the emergence of new individuals.
Even if Megascolia species belong to the superfamily of Vespoidea, they are harmless and could sting humans only if grasped with hands. Megascolia are important species for biodiversity; in addition, they could act as a biocontrol agent, and sometimes they could be used in strategies against dangerous beetles. Killing individuals of this species is not only an unnecessary measure, but could also be a threat for biodiversity.
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