Blue-Winged Wasp
Scolia dubia

Blue-winged wasps are parasitic insects that lay their eggs on beetle larvae. They are great for controlling beetles in a garden.

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A blue-winged wasp sips nectar from a flower with white petals.
Female blue-winged wasps have larger bodies than males. (Photo courtesy of Julian F/iNaturalist CC BY-NC, cropped and toned)

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Appearance

Blue-winged wasps are black from their head to the top third of their abdomen. The lower part of their body is rust red with two yellow spots. The wings are a deep blue with an iridescent, teal sheen. 

Feeding

Female blue-winged wasps dig into the ground to find beetle larvae called “white grubs" that they lay their eggs on. After hatching, larval stage wasps start eating the grub. The adult wasp also consumes nectar from flowers. 

Predators

Blue-winged wasps are eaten by birds and larger insects.

Flight

Blue-winged wasps are most active in the summer and can be seen flying low over lawns, gardens and parks.

Reproduction and life cycle

Female blue-winged wasps paralyze larval stage beetles, known as “white grubs,” and then lay their eggs on the grub’s body. Eggs hatch inside of the grub and then the larvae start feeding on the grub over about two weeks. Wasp larvae spend fall in a cocoon and then molt into an adult in the spring.

Did you know?

  • Blue-winged wasps are also called digger wasps.
  • Gardeners like having blue-winged wasps around for controlling beetles
  • Blue-winged wasps are solitary wasps that live independently of one another instead of forming colonies. 

Sources and additional information

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