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Priocnemis perturbator

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Kingdom
  
Class
  
Suborder
  
Rank
  
Species

Phylum
  
Order
  
Family
  
Pompilidae

Priocnemis perturbator Priocnemis perturbator Harris1780 BWARS

Similar
  
Priocnemis, Cryptocheilus notatus, Episyron rufipes, Anoplius nigerrimus, Arachnospila

Giant spider hunting wasp priocnemis perturbator


Priocnemis perturbator is a relatively large species of spider wasp which is quite common in Europe. It was previously considered to be the same species as the closely related P. susterai which were lumped as P. fuscus and this means that some early observations of behaviour are not applicable to either species. Even now the two species need close observation under a microscope or hand lens to distinguish them from each other.

Contents

Priocnemis perturbator Priocnemis perturbator Pictures Priocnemis perturbator Images

Biology

Priocnemis perturbator Priocnemis perturbator Harris1780 BWARS

Little is known about the nests of P. perturbator but other Priocnemis species generally use cavities which they find themselves and in which they may excavate several cells. P. perturbator is univoltine and the flight period is from May to September. As stated in the introduction many of the observations of Priocnemis collecting prey refer to the invalid taxon P. fuscus but they are thought to take larger spiders of the families Lycosidae and Gnaphosidae. Females have been seen on the ground, apparently searching for prey . The spider Trochosa terricola is a known prey item. This species is one of a handful of spider wasps, all of them relatively large and including Priocnemis susterai and Anoplius viaticus which overwinter as adults in Britain, appearing in the following spring. Priocnemis perturbator, which is reasonably common and has long antennae, can often be seen nectaring on Wood Spurge Euphorbia amygdaloides but it has also been seen nectaring on dandelion, blackthorn, hawthorn and willow.

Habitat

Open woodland, but may be found in various habitats, so long as they are not waterlogged.

Distribution

Widespread from Great Britain and Ireland into central and northern Europe and Asia eastwards to Japan.

Priocnemis perturbator Priocnemis perturbator Pictures Priocnemis perturbator Images

Priocnemis perturbator Priocnemis perturbator Pictures Priocnemis perturbator Images

Priocnemis perturbator Priocnemis perturbator Harris1780 BWARS

Priocnemis perturbator Priocnemis perturbator Pictures Priocnemis perturbator Images

Priocnemis perturbator Priocnemis perturbator Pictures Priocnemis perturbator Images

Priocnemis perturbator Priocnemis perturbator Wikipedia

References

Priocnemis perturbator Wikipedia