David Element's Wildlife Web Page Hymenoptera 16

David Element

Wildlife Photography

and Digital Video Images

__________ Hymenoptera 16 - Mammoth Wasps

MAMMOTH WASP Scolia hirta

MAMMOTH WASP Megascolia maculata flavifrons (f)

These pictures were taken in Tuscany (Toscana), Italy. The commonly used name for these insects might imply some 'fishermanesque' exaggeration. However, in the case of Megascolia maculata flavifrons there is little question that it is justified. By European standards this scoliid is a truly massive hymenopteran with the yellow-headed females reaching up to about 4.5cm in length. Despite the warning coloration and intimidating appearance this insect poses no threat to humans. Eggs are laid on Rhinocerous Beetle Oryctes nasicornis larvae once they have been stung and paralysed and the females may be observed hovering in the vicinity of dead wood waiting for an opportunity to oviposit. Unfortunately a temporary equipment 'malfunction' (i.e. flash cutout to prevent overheating in very hot weather) sabotaged what would have been the best photographs in this sequence. An excellent account of this behaviour (in Spain) may be read at: http://www.wildsideholidays.com/natural/insects-and-creepy-crawlies/92-bees-wasps-and-flies/281-mammoth-wasp-megascolia-regiscola-maculata-flavifrons-avispa-parasita-de-cuatro-puntas.html

Further information about Iberian wildlife may be found on Clive Muir and Sue Eatock's very informative Wildside Holidays website: http://www.wildsideholidays.com/natural/links.html and on their recently merged nature forum with Nick Lloyd's Iberian Nature at: http://www.iberianatureforum.com.