A large, robust, parasitic wasp about 1 1/4 inches or 30 mm long. It is a black, hairy wasp with two broad, conspicuous white bands across the abdomen. The antennae and legs are black.
Commonly seen in late summer and fall nectaring on flowers. They are widespread on the trails in Fontenelle Forest.
Females dig in soil (first using mandibles and then fore and midlegs) to uncover a scarab beetle grub. She will sting it to immobilize it and lay an egg on the grub. After hatching, the Scoliid larva feeds on the scarab host 1 to 2 weeks then spins a cocoon underground.
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