Pygodasis Explained

Pygodasis is a New World genus of wasps in the family Scoliidae (scoliid wasps), formerly treated as a subgenus within Campsomeris.

Description and identification

Pygodasis are large wasps with an entirely black head, thorax, and tibial spurs. The abdomen is black, often with either yellow to orange spots or bands on the second and third tergites. The setae are usually black but in some species may be white or a mix of black and white. The wings may be hyaline, yellowish, or violaceous depending on the species.

Distribution

Species of this genus occur from the United States south to Argentina.

Species

Species within this genus include:

• Pygodasis bistrimaculata (Lepeletier, 1845)
• Pygodasis cineraria (Sichel, 1864)
• Pygodasis columbiensis (Bradley, 1945)
• Pygodasis cristata (Bradley, 1945)
• Pygodasis ephippium (Say, 1837)  - saddleback scoliid wasp
• Pygodasis hyalina (de Saussure, 1864)
• Pygodasis ianthina (Bradley, 1945)
• Pygodasis lucasi (de Saussure, 1858)
• Pygodasis quadrimaculata (Fabricus, 1775)  - large four-spotted scoliid wasp
• Pygodasis spegazzini (Bréthes, 1910)
• Pygodasis terrestris (de Saussure, 1858)
• Pygodasis veroninae (Schrottky, 1910)
• Pygodasis vespiformis (de Saussure, 1858)
• Pygodasis vittata (Sichel, 1864)