Anoplius ithaca

(Banks, 1912)

Anoplius ithaca is a of spider wasp in the Pompilidae. Very little specific information is available for this species. Based on its classification within the Anoplius, it likely shares the general of other members of this genus: females hunt spiders, paralyze them with venom, and provision underground burrows as food for their larvae. The species was described by Nathan Banks in 1912.

Spider wasp male (Pompilidae, Anoplius ithaca) (40484610675) by Insects Unlocked from USA. Used under a CC0 license.Spider wasp female (Pompilidae, Anoplius ithaca) (41337110422) by Insects Unlocked from USA. Used under a CC0 license.

Pronunciation

How to pronounce Anoplius ithaca: /əˈnoʊpliəs ˈɪθəkə/

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

Images

Similar Taxa

  • Anoplius aethiopsSimilar black coloration and body form; both are large spider wasps in the same . Anoplius aethiops has been documented at 13-23 mm (females), hunts wolf spiders (Lycosidae), and is active late summer through fall. Microscopic examination is required to separate closely related Anoplius .
  • Anoplius cleoraVery similar to A. aethiops and A. ithaca; distinguished primarily by preference (open sand dunes) and subtle morphological differences visible only under magnification. All three require expert examination for reliable identification.
  • Stizoides renicinctusSimilar black body with orange or red abdominal banding pattern. However, S. renicinctus is a kleptoparasite (cuckoo wasp) that exploits nests of other rather than hunting spiders, belongs to Crabronidae, and has a more elongate body with different wing proportions.

Tags

Sources and further reading