Ammosphex anomalus
(Dreisbach, 1950)
Ammosphex anomalus is a of spider wasp in the Pompilidae, originally described by Dreisbach in 1950 as Pompilus anomalus anomalus. The species was later transferred to the Ammosphex. It is part of the group within Hymenoptera. Very limited biological information is available for this species, with only a single observation recorded in iNaturalist and minimal published literature. The genus Ammosphex contains species that are generally associated with hunting spiders as prey for their larvae, consistent with the of Pompilidae.
Pronunciation
How to pronounce Ammosphex anomalus: //ˌæm.oʊsˈfɛks əˈnɒm.ə.ləs//
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More Details
Taxonomic History
Originally described as Pompilus anomalus anomalus by Dreisbach in 1950. The has undergone taxonomic revision, with the Ammosphex being established or revalidated to accommodate species previously placed in Pompilus. The subspecific designation 'anomalus anomalus' has been synonymized under the species-level name Ammosphex anomalus in current classifications.
Collection Records
Primary type material exists in the UCR Entomology Research Museum collection (specimen UCRC ENT 127202, listed as Ammosphex anomalus with images including , lateral, and label views). The type locality and detailed collection data are associated with this specimen.
Data Limitations
The is represented by extremely sparse occurrence data. iNaturalist records only a single observation, and the species does not appear in the extensive 2023 southwestern U.S. collecting trip report by Ted C. MacRae, despite comprehensive sampling of Hymenoptera across multiple states including Oklahoma, Colorado, Utah, Arizona, New Mexico, and Texas. This suggests either genuine rarity, highly restricted distribution, or specific associations not encountered during that survey.