CLOSED: Some kind of Bee?

Watch Reply
More
Mark unread Print Skip to new
EmmaGrace Jacksonville, TX(Zone 8a) Jul 23, 2008

Need ID on this guy. . .

Today I noticed there were two piles of 'Red Soil' in one of my flower beds and I have never seen this before. Then just at dark I saw this guy come in for a landing. I didn't get a very good photo because he/she was moving fast apparently trying to find the entrance since I had scattered the soil trying to figure out what was there. My bed is amended at least 2' and is not 'Red Soil' so I'm wondering if he/she dug straight down that deep to knock up the 'Red Soil' or possibly it is from under the house??

Also need to know if this is a good guy or bad guy!

Thanks for any help.

Emma

Photo #1

Thumbnail by EmmaGrace
Post #5305119
Quote
EmmaGrace Jacksonville, TX(Zone 8a) Jul 23, 2008

#02

Thumbnail by EmmaGrace
Post #5305128
Quote
EmmaGrace Jacksonville, TX(Zone 8a) Jul 23, 2008

#03

Thumbnail by EmmaGrace
Post #5305137
Quote
EmmaGrace Jacksonville, TX(Zone 8a) Jul 23, 2008

#04

Thumbnail by EmmaGrace
Post #5305144
Quote
suunto Sinks Grove, WV Jul 23, 2008

This is a 'good guy' (or gal, as the case may be); it is a wasp in the family Scoliidae, whose larvae are parasitic on the larvae of scarab beetles (such as Japanese beetles). The adults are pollen feeders, and may play a role in pollination of some plants/This specimen may be in the genus Campsomeris.

Post #5306113
Quote
EmmaGrace Jacksonville, TX(Zone 8a) Jul 23, 2008

Suunto . . .

Amazing Information -

Thank you VERY MUCH. I appreciate this information.

Emma

Post #5306437
Quote
EmmaGrace Jacksonville, TX(Zone 8a) Jul 23, 2008

suunto . . .

Could this be it?
Cicada Killer (Sphecius speciosus)
http://davesgarden.com/guides/bf/showimage/370/

http://bugguide.net/node/view/69405

http://www.redorbit.com/education/reference_library/insects/cicada_killer_wasp/856/index.html

Thanks
Emma

Post #5307022
Quote
suunto Sinks Grove, WV Jul 23, 2008

Yes! Give me 30 lashes with a wet noodle, as Ann Landers used to say. There was something about the abdominal maculations on this specimen that bothered me, but I was so fixated on scoliids that I overlooked other characteristics. Nevertheless, it's still a 'good guy,' and definitely non-aggressive towards humans. I've witnessed them busily provisioning their burrows in the midst of many passers by, and never saw any hint of aggression on the wasps' part.

Post #5307512
Quote
EmmaGrace Jacksonville, TX(Zone 8a) Jul 23, 2008

Hey - You are the smart one here. I only did a search with the names you gave me until I found what looked like this guy. This is the very first time I've ever seen one around here. Glad that he is a good guy too because I do grow MANY Morning Glories.

Thanks again suunto -
I appreciate your help VERY MUCH . . .

Emma

Post #5307832
Quote

Post a Reply to this Thread

Please or sign up to post.
Back to Forum Homepage

More Insect and Spider Identification Threads

Go to all Insect and Spider Identification threads
BACK TO TOP