Dasyscolia

Dasyscolia
Scientific classification Edit this classification
Domain: Eukaryota
Kingdom: Animalia
Phylum: Arthropoda
Class: Insecta
Order: Hymenoptera
Family: Scoliidae
Subfamily: Scoliinae
Tribe: Campsomerini
Genus: Dasyscolia
Bradley, 1951
Species:
D. ciliata
Binomial name
Dasyscolia ciliata
(Fabricius, 1787)
Synonyms
  • Tiphia ciliata Fabricius, 1787
  • Scolia aurea Fabricius, 1793
  • Colpa rufa Lepeletier, 1845
  • Elis aurea Saussure, 1854
  • Campsoscolia ciliata Betrem, 1933
  • Campsomeris ciliata Guiglia, 1937

Dasyscolia ciliata is a species of scoliid wasp found throughout the Mediterranean. It is the only species in the genus Dasyscolia. It is the only known pollinator of the European Ophrys speculum. The male wasp is tricked into pollinating the Ophrys orchid via pseudocopulation. The orchid's Pouyannian mimicry has the flower effectively mimicking the female wasp in appearance and scent.[1]

  1. ^ Kevin M. O'Neill (2001). Solitary Wasps: Behavior and Natural History. Cornell University Press. p. 149.