Which Campsomeris? - Dielis dorsata

Campsomeris dorsata, female

I suspect the specimen blew in from the West Indies, and it is probably not established in Florida.

Moved from Campsomeris.

… George Waldren, 12 March, 2011 - 1:28am

By George, I've got it!

So George, I've been going to the same park of these pics for a few weekends now in the hopes of seeing it again. Well, today I saw two of them flying from flower to flower (this time in a field adjacent to the hedge were these pics were taken) along with many other types of bees and wasps. Now, I don't like to collect specimens and much rather photograph them. As luck would have it I was out of batteries on the cam. So, since you had asked and it is a bit of a mystery I did manage to catch one. It is in the freezer. How long do I keep it there? What should I do with it after it's dead? Also, how long do these insects live? and since there are at least two in this location is it more likely that they are established?

… Livan, 12 March, 2011 - 1:56pm

Great to hear!

Spread the wings out away from the top of the insect, so the abdomen is visible, and take a dorsal photo.

There is the possibility that they are established there. They would need suitable scarab larvae as hosts, which shouldn't be a problem if you see other scoliid species in the area. There isn't much info on scoliid longetivity.

Have you seen any other scoliids at the park?

… George Waldren, 12 March, 2011 - 4:03pm

See abdomen here.

Here is a link to the abdomen shots:

I hope it confirms ID.

Yes, I've seen other Campsomeris prob. trifasciata. and there were plenty of Dark Flower Scarabs out today.

… Livan, 12 March, 2011 - 5:41pm

Any clear shots of the entire abdomen?

The only species with a red orange abdomen that could possibly be in FL is Campsomeris dorsata, which occurs in Haiti/DR, Puerto Rico, and south into Central and South America. It would be a new record for the US if it is that species and would be interesting to see if it has become established.

… George Waldren, 24 January, 2011 - 10:32am

Exciting!

How very interesting. Unfortunately these are the only shots I got. As I said I thought: "oh Mole Cricket Hunter again, because the abdomen was so red" but I took a couple of shots anyway since it was on the pretty flower and I thought it would make for a nice pic. But I'm on a mission now, I'll be scouting this area often now for a better abdomen shot.

… Livan, 24 January, 2011 - 4:18pm

Any chance to collect a specimen?

There's a possibility it could be an aberrant Campsomeris plumipes -- the two species are closely related and aside from abdominal color they can be difficult to separate. The range extension would be pretty impressive if it turned out to be C. dorsata.

… George Waldren, 24 January, 2011 - 9:19pm