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Ornamentals and Turf |
Normally, at this time of year we receive reports of low flying metallic blue-colored wasps over lawns. Reports have been scant so far this year, but recent rainfall may cause them to occur soon. One such wasp is Scolia dubia. Scolia dubia are black-colored insects with metallic blue highlights on the wings and thorax. The abdomen has two yellow spots near the middle of the abdomen and the tip is a red-brown color. Scoliid wasps are considered beneficial insects because they help control the grubs of green June beetles and other beetles. They are present in North Carolina from June to October, but they are most abundant during August. The wasps are often seen hovering a few inches above lawns, flying in loops and Figure 8 patterns. The female wasp digs through the soil in search of grubs, burrowing her own tunnels or following those made by the grubs. These are not a stinging threat to humans and no control measures are suggested. Ornamentals and Turf Information Note No. 12 has additional information on the biology of scoliid wasps.
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Last modified on August 26, 2002 by Stephen J. Toth, Jr.
