Explanation of Names
Latin nobilitata refers to nobility, fame, aristocracy (Latin dictionary).
Identification
Small Scoliid with dark wings, abdomen dark with 4-6 light yellow/orange spots.
May be imitated by the Flower Longhorn, Typocerus lunulatus:
Has a similar pattern, apparently, to the much larger Campsomeris quadrimaculata. Perhaps the smaller Scoliid imitates the larger one. And then there is the Pompilid wasp, likely Anoplius, which has a similar pattern:
Perhaps the Pompilid is the model for all of these.
Range
Includes southeastern United States. Noted from Illinois, West Virginia, North Carolina, south Florida.
Habitat
Adults found on flowers in open areas, gardens, etc.
Season
Summer. June-September (North Carolina)
Food
Adults take nectar at flowers.
Life Cycle
Unknown. Presumably attacks white grubs (scarab beetle larvae), as do others of the family.
Remarks
Apparently a common southeastern species, but not illustrated in guides.
See Also
Campsomeris quadrimaculata has similar pattern, is much larger.
Print References
Brimley, p. 439, lists for North Carolina: state-wide, June-September.
(1)Internet References
North Carolina State University Entomology Collection lists nobilita = nobilitata, with 193 pinned, including specimens from that state.
Noted from
Illinois, visiting Eryngium yuccifolium (Rattlesnake Master)
Another reference from
Illinois
Brown Bag Productions--stock footage, identifies it from North Carolina on
this page, and
linked image. (Dick Walton of Brownbag Productions verifies that this image was identified by wasp expert Bill Stubblefield of Massachusetts.)
Noted from
Everglades National Park, Florida (subscription required, but shown by Google).
Contributed by
Cotinis on 4 August, 2005 - 2:27pm
Last updated 20 August, 2007 - 5:52am
