Colpa octomaculata? - Scolia nobilitata

Moved

Moved from Noble Scoliid Wasp.

The recent Ramirez-Guillen et al. paper describes this as a western form of S. nobilitata nobilitata also found in Baja California, down to the black spot on T2. The strongly infuscated wings also follow McKay's key to subspecies.

Edit: I also have confirmation from George that one of the linked images is S. nobilitata and have moved both of the reference images (2 & 3) here as well.

… Jonathan Hoskins, 26 December, 2023 - 12:52pm

Moved

Moved from Scoliid Wasps.

Excellent view of wing venation and definitely a Scolia. My suspicion is that the other referenced images may be conspecific, so they'll likely need to be revised.

… Jonathan Hoskins, 14 September, 2023 - 10:52pm

Wing venation

This is one where I'd really like to see the wing venation more. This isn't Colpa + Crioscolia as the inter-antennal space doesn't form separate plates (compare to the other female). Especially combined with the very violaceous wings, I suspect this may actually be Scolia nobilitata.

… Jonathan Hoskins, 14 September, 2023 - 1:50am

Agreed

This specimen looks significantly different compared to the one below.

The only reason for my tentative ID was this other wasp. A mistake or color pattern is misleading?

… Salvador Vitanza, 14 September, 2023 - 6:43am

Hard to say

In the southwest, there are a number of color forms that aren't found elsewhere for a few species. The above second photo is based on George's ID of this specimen, where I really can't see wing for manual keying.

It's certainly not unheard of for S. nobilitata tricincta to get mistaken for being C. octomaculata (and vice versa). It also isn't unheard of to find other species with convergent color patterns in the southwest. Far western C. octomaculata texensis approach almost exactly the pattern of C. flammicoma, and of course there's the problematic case of Scolia dubia haematodes and Triscolia ardens.

… Jonathan Hoskins, 14 September, 2023 - 4:27pm

I will post wing venation

and other views, later today. Thank you, Jonathan

… Salvador Vitanza, 14 September, 2023 - 4:44pm