Notocyphus

Smith, 1855

Species Guides

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Notocyphus is a of spider wasps and the sole genus in the Notocyphinae. These are known to parasitize tarantulas, including arboreal in the subfamily Aviculariinae and terrestrial species in Theraphosinae. The genus occurs in the Nearctic and Neotropical regions, with documented associations in the Amazon region of Ecuador and Brazil.

Notocyphinae by (c) Francisco Farriols Sarabia, some rights reserved (CC BY), uploaded by Francisco Farriols Sarabia. Used under a CC-BY license.Notocyphinae by (c) Francisco Farriols Sarabia, some rights reserved (CC BY), uploaded by Francisco Farriols Sarabia. Used under a CC-BY license.Notocyphus dorsalis arizonicus by the Smithsonian. Used under a CC0 license.

Pronunciation

How to pronounce Notocyphus: //noʊtoʊˈsɪfəs//

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Identification

The Notocyphinae distinguishes this from all other Pompilidae. Specific morphological diagnostic features for the genus are not documented in available sources.

Images

Habitat

Tropical and subtropical regions including Amazon rainforest; associated with supporting tarantula .

Distribution

Nearctic and Neotropical regions. Documented records include the Amazon region of Ecuador and Brazil.

Host Associations

  • Avicularia purpurea - Arboreal tarantula (Theraphosidae: Aviculariinae); first record in Ecuadorian Amazon
  • Pamphobeteus sp. - Tarantula (Theraphosidae); cited from Lourenço 1979 for N. tyrannicus
  • Acanthoscurria sp. - Terrestrial tarantula (Theraphosidae: Theraphosinae); first record as

Behavior

Females have been observed parasitizing tarantulas. Behavioral details including hunting and oviposition strategies are not documented in available sources.

Ecological Role

of tarantulas (Theraphosidae), potentially regulating spider in tropical .

Similar Taxa

  • Other Pompilidae generaNotocyphus is distinguished by its placement in the Notocyphinae; all other spider wasps belong to different subfamilies.

More Details

Taxonomic uniqueness

Notocyphinae is , containing only the Notocyphus, indicating a distinct evolutionary lineage within Pompilidae.

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Sources and further reading