a Flower Wasp

Trielis pollenifera

Trielis pollenifera wasp from the Sta. Rita Mountains photo © by Mike Plagens

Observed in the riparian corridor of Florida Canyon, Sta. Rita Mts., Arizona, USA. 30 July 2013. Visiting flowers of Desert Broom, Baccharis sarathroides.

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It would probably be safe to say that most species of wasps will visit flowers when nectar and or pollen are available. Scoliidae wasps like this one make use of the sugar energy to find mates or search out potential prey/hosts. This group of wasps - there are many related species - are mostly parasites of underground beetle grubs. The parasitic stage of the wasp is a worm-like larva.

Scoliidae -- a Wasp Family

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Arizona Naturalist
Sycamore Canyons
Invertebrates in Arizona's Sycamore Canyons
Sycamore Woodland Flora


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Copyright Michael J. Plagens, page created 19 Nov. 2014