Dielis tejensis
{{Short description|Species of scoliid wasp}}
{{Species box
| image = Dielis tejensis (191250371).jpg
| image_caption = Male Dielis tejensis seen at flower in Burleson County, Texas.
| genus = Dielis
| species = tejensis
| authority = Szafranski, 2023
}}
Dielis tejensis is a species of scoliid wasp. It is endemic to Texas.{{Cite journal |last=Szafranski |first=Przemyslaw |date=2023-02-02 |title=New Dielis species and structural dichotomy of the mitochondrial cox2 gene in Scoliidae wasps |url=https://www.nature.com/articles/s41598-023-27806-x |journal=Scientific Reports |language=en |volume=13 |issue=1 |doi=10.1038/s41598-023-27806-x |issn=2045-2322 |pmc=9895450 |pmid=36732536}}
Etymology
The specific epithet comes from the latinized form of "Tejas", the Spanish name for Texas.
Description and identification
The species is only known from male specimens and was described in 2023 based on genetic differences to other Dielis species. It is chromatically distinguished from the males of all other North American species of the tribe Campsomerini (except for D. pillipies) by having five stripes along its abdomen rather than four.
Biology
As with most species of scoliid wasps, it is thought to parasitize soil-inhabiting Scarabaeoidea beetle grubs. However, the exact host for its larva is currently unknown.
Distribution
References
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Category:Insects described in 2023
Category:Endemic fauna of Texas
Category:Endemic insects of the United States
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