Dipogon sayi

Banks, 1941

spider wasp

Dipogon sayi is a solitary in the 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 , particularly crab spiders (Thomisidae), as food for its .

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

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

Host Associations

Life Cycle

Solitary nesting in pre-existing cavities; female provisions nest with paralyzed , lays on , 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 ; potential agent contributing to spider

Similar Taxa

  • Dipogon calipterusSame ; distinguished by reddish legs in D. calipterus and different banding patterns
  • Other Dipogon species-level identification requires examination of hairy (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