Dielis tejensis explained

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.

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.

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.

Distribution

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

Notes and References

  1. Szafranski . Przemyslaw . 2023-02-02 . New Dielis species and structural dichotomy of the mitochondrial cox2 gene in Scoliidae wasps . Scientific Reports . en . 13 . 1 . 10.1038/s41598-023-27806-x . 2045-2322 . 9895450 . 36732536.