Acrotaphus fuscipennis

(Cresson, 1865)

Acrotaphus fuscipennis is a of ichneumon in the , first described by Cresson in 1865. The Acrotaphus comprises wasps that attack . A. fuscipennis is one of approximately 8 species in the genus recorded from North America. Like other members of Acrotaphus, this species is presumed to be an of -weaving spiders (Araneidae), though specific records for A. fuscipennis itself appear to be lacking in published literature.

Acrotaphus fuscipennis by no rights reserved, uploaded by Zygy. Used under a CC0 license.

Pronunciation

How to pronounce Acrotaphus fuscipennis: /əˈkrəʊtəfəs fjuːˈsaɪpɛnɪs/

These audio files are automatically generated. While they are not always 100% accurate, they are a good starting point.

Images

Distribution

North America. The was described from specimens collected in the United States, and records in the UCR collection (though primarily focused on Encyrtidae) suggest western U.S. occurrence. The related species Acrotaphus wiltii has been recorded from Massachusetts, suggesting eastern U.S. distribution for the as well.

Host Associations

Araneidae - The Acrotaphus is known to parasitize -weaving ( Araneidae). Acrotaphus wiltii has been specifically recorded from Neoscona arabesca. for A. fuscipennis itself is not documented.

Life Cycle

Females locate and them into brief paralysis, then lay a single on the spider's body. The feeds as an external on the still-living spider. This pattern is documented for Acrotaphus wiltii and inferred for including A. fuscipennis based on -level characteristics.

Behavior

Females are active hunters that search for -weaving . Upon encountering a , the it to induce paralysis, then oviposits externally on the spider's body before leaving. The wasp does not construct a nest or cache the host.

Ecological Role

of . As a of , Acrotaphus help regulate spider . They represent one of several lineages that have evolved spider-specific parasitoid strategies.

Similar Taxa

Acrotaphus wiltiiCongeneric with similar biology and . A. wiltii differs in distribution (eastern U.S. records) and has documented association with Neoscona arabesca.
Pepsis spp.Large -hunting that also paralyze spiders, but belong to (tarantula hawks). Pepsis are generally larger, more colorful, and cache in burrows rather than acting as external .
Sceliphron caementariumBlack and Mud Dauber () also hunts , but is a that stocks mud nests with multiple paralyzed items for larval provisioning, differing from the external strategy of Acrotaphus.

More Details

Taxonomic History

The was described by Ezra Townsend Cresson in 1865. Cresson was a prominent who described numerous in the mid-19th century. The specific epithet 'fuscipennis' refers to the dark or dusky coloration.

Collection Records

The UCR Research Museum holds specimens of Acrotaphus fuscipennis, though the collection is primarily noted for its holdings. The presence of this in such collections indicates it has been encountered in western U.S. efforts, particularly those targeting .