Scoliid Wasp ♂

Scolia vollenhoveni Saussure, of family Scoliidae, subfamily Scoliinae, tribe Scoliini, occurs in Sri Lanka, East Indies, Philippines, Thailand and Burma. Length is about 18mm. Head and antennae are light red, entire body black, wings dark with purplish blue reflections. Males are more slender and elongated than females, with longer antennae.

Scoliid wasp larvae act as important biocontrol agents, feeding upon beetle larvae in the ground, including the serious pest, the Japanese beetle. Adult wasps may be minor pollinators of many wildflowers.