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BugGuide Gathering
Smoky Mountains
University of Tennessee Biological Field Station
August 8-10, 2008
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Photos from the last gathering (Minnesota 2007)

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Photo#141936
Jumbo sized Wasp ?? - Campsomeris tolteca - female

Jumbo sized Wasp ?? - Campsomeris tolteca - Female
Manteca, San joaquin County, California, USA
September 1, 2007
Size: 1 1/4 "
I was watering when I saw this guy fly up and land on a bush . It was pretty heavy so the tip of the bush kept springing up and down as he shuttled around trying to clean off the water drops that had landed on his head and back . It was challenging to take a photo as it would not stay still . I noticed that his amber colored wings were tattered at the ends , so maybe it is an older individual . It has grey eyes and an elongated abdomen with rows of hairs going around his circumfrence and a repeating pattern , otherwise it seemed smooth and shiny . I would appreciate some kind of identification since I had never seen a fellow like this ... Bee or Wasp ? Thanks , Beth

Images of this individual: tag all
Jumbo sized Wasp ?? - Campsomeris tolteca - female Jumbo sized Wasp ?? - Campsomeris tolteca - female

Campsomeris tolteca (Scoliidae) - female
This one seems to be an especially large specimen. No wonder it was heavy.

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