Biology:Dielis tejensis

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Short description: Species of scoliid wasp

Dielis tejensis
Dielis tejensis (191250371).jpg
Male Dielis tejensis seen at flower in Burleson County, Texas.
Scientific classification edit
Domain: Eukaryota
Kingdom: Animalia
Phylum: Arthropoda
Class: Insecta
Order: Hymenoptera
Family: Scoliidae
Genus: Dielis
Species:
D. tejensis
Binomial name
Dielis tejensis
Szafranski, 2023

Dielis tejensis is a species of scoliid wasp. It is endemic to Texas .[1]

Etymology

The specific epithet comes from the latinized form of "Tejas", the Spanish name for Texas.[1]

Description and identification

The species is only known from male specimens and was described in 2023 based on genetic differences to other Dielis species. It is chromatically distinguished from the males of all other North American species of the tribe Campsomerini (except for D. pillipies) by having five stripes along its abdomen rather than four.[1]

Biology

As with most species of scoliid wasps, it is thought to parasitize soil-inhabiting Scarabaeoidea beetle grubs. However, the exact host for its larva is currently unknown.[1]

Distribution

Dielis tejensis is currently only known from Texas from the gulf coast west to Kent county.[1]

References

Wikidata ☰ Q123560798 entry