Wheat Stem Sawfly vs Japanese Scoliid Wasp

Side-by-side species comparison

Attribute Wheat Stem Sawfly Japanese Scoliid Wasp
Scientific Name Cephus cinctus Scolia oculata
Order Hymenoptera Hymenoptera
Family Cephidae Scoliidae
Size 8-13 mm (adult) 20-30 mm
Habitat Deserts & Drylands Underground
Diet Omnivores Nectar Feeders
Regions North America Japan, China, Korea
Conservation Not Evaluated Least Concern

Wheat Stem Sawfly

A major pest of wheat and barley on the northern Great Plains of North America. Larvae bore inside stems, weakening them and causing lodging.

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Did You Know?

Larvae girdle the stem base before pupating, causing the stem to fall over at harvest.

Japanese Scoliid Wasp

A large black wasp with distinctive eye-like yellow spots on the abdomen found in East Asia. It parasitizes the larvae of large dynastid beetles.

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Did You Know?

Its yellow abdominal markings resemble large eyes, which may serve to startle potential predators.