Dipogon sayi

Banks, 1941

spider wasp

Dipogon sayi is a solitary spider wasp in the Pompilidae that nests in pre-existing cavities (trap-nests). It is known from the northeastern United States, with the easternmost records from Maine. The provisions its nests with paralyzed spiders, particularly crab spiders (Thomisidae), as food for its larvae.

Dipogon (Deuteragenia) sayi nigrior by the Smithsonian. Used under a CC0 license.Dipogon (Deuteragenia) sayi nigrior by the Smithsonian. Used under a CC0 license.Dipogon (Deuteragenia) sayi nigrior by the Smithsonian. Used under a CC0 license.

Pronunciation

How to pronounce Dipogon sayi: //ˌdɪpoʊˈɡɒn ˈseɪaɪ//

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Habitat

Strip-clearcut areas of spruce-fir-mixed hardwood forest; uses pre-existing cavities including trap-nests and abandoned wood-boring tunnels

Distribution

Northeastern United States: Wisconsin, Vermont, Maine (easternmost U.S. records from Moosehorn National Wildlife , Washington County, Maine)

Diet

Spiders: specifically documented prey includes females of Misumena vatia, Xysticus emertoni, X. punctatus, and juveniles and males of Xysticus sp. ( Thomisidae)

Host Associations

Life Cycle

Solitary nesting in pre-existing cavities; female provisions nest with paralyzed spiders, lays on prey, and constructs partitions

Behavior

Uses trap-nests for nesting; no evidence of nest-site competition with eumenid when available nesting sites range from 320 to 4400

Ecological Role

of spiders; potential agent contributing to spider

Similar Taxa

  • Dipogon calipterusSame ; distinguished by reddish front legs in D. calipterus and different wing banding patterns
  • Other Dipogon species-level identification requires examination of hairy maxillary palps (the 'beard'), which is the only sure diagnostic feature for Dipogon but rarely visible in live field specimens

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Sources and further reading