Priocnemis cornica
(Say, 1836)
spider wasp
Priocnemis cornica is a of spider wasp in the Pompilidae. It has been documented as a of the Beach Wolf Spider (Arctosa littoralis), paralyzing spiders to serve as food for its larval offspring. The species was first described by Thomas Say in 1836.
Pronunciation
How to pronounce Priocnemis cornica: /priːˈɒknɪmɪs kɔːrˈniːkə/
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Diet
of spiders; known to prey on Arctosa littoralis (Beach Wolf Spider, Lycosidae). The paralyzes spiders and provisions its nest with them as food for developing larvae.
Host Associations
- Arctosa littoralis - preyBeach Wolf Spider; used as larval food source
Ecological Role
Spider wasp; acts as a agent of spider in sandy littoral .
Similar Taxa
- Priocnemis minorataSimilar and ; both are black spider wasps in Pompilidae, but P. minorata is distinguished by serrated hind tibiae and is active in deciduous forests rather than beach
- Ageniella conflictaAnother pompilid that preys on Arctosa littoralis; differs in -level characteristics
- Anoplius apiculatusAnother pompilid that preys on Arctosa littoralis; belongs to different within same
More Details
Host Record Source
The of Priocnemis cornica on Arctosa littoralis is documented in the 'Spider Sunday: Beach Wolf Spider' blog post by Eric Eaton ( Eric, June 24, 2012), which lists this among pompilid recorded as using the Beach Wolf Spider as food for their larval offspring.