Early-spring-activity
Guides
Ablautus
Prospectors
Ablautus is a genus of small robber flies (family Asilidae) containing approximately 14 described species. Adults measure 6–7 millimeters and inhabit arid regions of western and southwestern North America, particularly sandy areas within sagebrush communities. The genus exhibits notable mimicry relationships, with Ablautus mimus known to mimic Lestomyia sabulonum. Species were described primarily by J. Wilcox during 1935–1966, with the genus first established by Loew in 1866.
Ablautus arnaudi
Ablautus arnaudi is a small species of robber fly in the family Asilidae, first described by Wilcox in 1966. Adults measure approximately 6–7 millimeters in length. The species exhibits sand-colored cryptic coloration and displays distinctive sexual dimorphism in facial hair coloration. Males possess bright white facial hairs and engage in elaborate courtship displays involving leg-waving and rocking movements. Like all Asilidae, this species is predatory in both adult and larval stages.
Alopecosa
Fox Spiders
Alopecosa is a genus of wolf spiders (Lycosidae) comprising approximately 160 species. These ground-dwelling spiders are predominantly Eurasian in distribution, with some species extending into North Africa and North America. Most species reach up to 2 cm in body length. Females construct burrows for egg deposition and guard their egg sacs until hatching. The genus has been subject to taxonomic revision, with species historically grouped into sibling species complexes based on morphology, though courtship behavior and molecular techniques have proven more reliable for species delimitation.
Cyrtophorus
Cyrtophorus is a monotypic genus of longhorned beetles in the family Cerambycidae, containing only the species Cyrtophorus verrucosus. The genus is notable for its remarkable ant-mimicry, with adults bearing a strong resemblance to carpenter ants (Camponotus species). Adults are small, averaging approximately 9 mm in length, and are active primarily in early spring. The single species has a broad distribution across eastern North America.
Podalonia argentipilis
Cutworm Hunter Wasp, Cutworm Wasp
Podalonia argentipilis is a solitary thread-waisted wasp in the family Sphecidae, subfamily Ammophilinae. Females hunt soil-dwelling caterpillars (cutworms), paralyze them with venom, and provision underground burrows as food for their larvae. Unlike most sphecid wasps, this species digs the burrow after capturing prey rather than before. The species is part of a genus of nineteen North American species that are frequently mistaken for Sphex or Ammophila wasps due to similar body plans.
Podalonia robusta
cutworm wasp, cutworm hunter wasp
Podalonia robusta is a solitary, thread-waisted wasp in the family Sphecidae, subfamily Ammophilinae. Females hunt soil-dwelling caterpillars (cutworms), paralyze them with venom, and provision underground burrows as food for their larvae. Unlike most sphecid wasps, this species digs the burrow after capturing prey rather than before. The species has been observed in aggressive nest usurpation, where one female steals a paralyzed caterpillar from another's burrow. Both sexes aggregate in sheltered spaces, with hundreds of individuals sometimes clustering together.
Xysticus emertoni
Emerton's Crab Spider
Xysticus emertoni, commonly known as Emerton's crab spider, is a species of ground crab spider in the family Thomisidae. It occurs across a broad transcontinental range spanning North America and Eurasia, including the United States, Canada, Russia, and Central Asia through China. As a member of the genus Xysticus, it exhibits the typical crab spider body plan with laterally extended legs adapted for ambush predation. The species has been documented as prey for spider wasps in the genus Dipogon.