Issue No. 185
E. E. Grissell
November, 1977
Introduction
In Entomology Circular 179 (Grissell, 1977) I presented a general overview of scoliid wasps and a pictorial key to the genera. The present circular provides methods for identifying the 8 species which occur in Florida. To do so first requires examination of the wing venation and comparison with illustrations given in my previous key (Grissell, 1977). After the genus is determined, the reader should refer to the genera listed below and compare abdominal color and pattern to arrive at a species identification. In some cases size may be useful as well, and the range is given for each species.
There are 9 Nearctic species of Campsomeris, of which 4 occur in Florida. They may be separated by color pattern, but since the sexes differ both in pattern and shape of abdomen, it is necessary to illustrate each sex. Male specimens usually have the black areas of the abdomen with a faint metallic blue sheen. Females have 6 abdominal segments and males have 7. Some of these wasps are among the largest in Florida.