Kingdom Animalia Class Insecta Suborder Apocrita Rank Species | Phylum Arthropoda Order Hymenoptera Family Pompilidae | |
Similar Cryptocheilus australis, Sphictostethus nitidus, Xanthocryptus novozealandicus, Pison, Priocnemis | ||
Priocnemis monachus is a large spider wasp from New Zealand where it is known as the "black hunting wasp".
Contents
Description
A large shiny black wasp with metallic black wings.
Prey
The black hunting wasp has been recorded capturing large spiders such as native tunnelweb spider Porrhothele antipodiana. These are dragged back to the wasps own nest and an egg is laid on each spider to feed the wasp larvae. Trapdoor spiders are also recorded as prey. It prefers spiders which make lidless burrows in the soil.
Status and range
Priocnemis monachus is endemic to New Zealand and is relatively common in areas where there are ground spiders and well drained earth for its burrows.
References
Priocnemis monachus Wikipedia(Text) CC BY-SA