Scolia dubia (Blue-winged Scoliid Wasp) on Goldenrod (Solidago)
This photo shows a blue-winged scoliid wasp (Scolia dubia) feeding on Goldenrod. Adults of this wasp are attracted to goldenrod nectar, but in their larval form they eat beetle larvae. The presence of goldenrods thus exerts an indirect effect on controlling the populations of herbivorous beetles. Goldenrods have hundreds such relationships, which is one reason why they are considered keystone species.
