Genus Scolia

Classification · Explanation of Names · Numbers · Print References · Internet References · Works Cited

Wasp on Goldenrod - Scolia bicincta - male

Classification

Kingdom Animalia (Animals)

Phylum Arthropoda (Arthropods)

Class Insecta (Insects)

Order Hymenoptera (Ants, Bees, Wasps and Sawflies)

No Taxon (Aculeata - Bees, Ants, and other Stinging Wasps)

Superfamily Vespoidea (Ants, Stinging Wasps, and Hornets)

Family Scoliidae (Scoliid Wasps)

Genus Scolia

Explanation of Names

Author of genus is Fabricius, 1775. The Century Dictionary (1) gives orign as New Latin, said to be from Greek skolos, a pointed stake, a thorn, prickle. More directly perhaps, from the related Greek word skolios, meaning bent, crooked, slanting, oblique (The Century Dictionary and Internet searches of various medical dictionaries). Compare scoliosis, curvature of the spine. These wasps have a notably curved posture, and that is likely the origin of the name.

Numbers

Nearctica.com lists 7 species: bicincta, consors, dubia, guttata, mexicana, and nobilitata.

Print References

The Century Dictionary entry for Scolia (1)

Borror and White, illustration on p. 343 appears to be S. dubia (2)

Brimley, p. 439, lists for North Carolina: bicincta (Piedmont and Mountains, July-September), dubia (almost state-wide, June-October), and nobilitata (state-wide, June-September). (3)

Internet References

North Carolina State University Entomology Collection lists for that state, with number pinned: bicincta (125), dubia (220), nobilita = nobilitata (193)

Works Cited

1.	The Century Dictionary: an encyclopedic lexicon of the English language

2.	A Field Guide to Insects By Richard E. White, Donald J. Borror, Roger Tory Peterson

3.	Insects of North Carolina By C.S. Brimley

Contributed by Troy Bartlett on 16 February, 2004 - 12:32pm
Additional contributions by cotinis
Last updated 20 August, 2007 - 5:47am

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