Orb-weaver-predator
Guides
Caliadurgus fasciatellus
Blotchwing Spider Wasp
Caliadurgus fasciatellus is a small spider wasp in the family Pompilidae, subfamily Pepsinae. It ranges from Western Europe to the Far East of Asia. The species hunts orb-weaving spiders, paralyzes them, and provisions underground burrows for its larval offspring. It was historically confused with Priocnemis hyalinata due to taxonomic errors regarding type species designations.
Poecilopompilus algidus
Spider Wasp
Poecilopompilus algidus is a spider wasp (family Pompilidae) widespread across the Americas, from southern Canada to Argentina. The species exhibits remarkable geographic variation in coloration due to Müllerian mimicry of sympatric wasps—resembling paper wasps (Polistes) in the south and dark spider wasps (Anoplius) in the north. Females hunt orb-weaver spiders (Araneidae) to provision underground nests, paralyzing prey with a sting and dragging it backwards to burrow sites in sandy soils. The species includes five recognized subspecies with varying distributions across North and South America.
Poecilopompilus interruptus
Interrupted Spider Wasp
Poecilopompilus interruptus is a New World spider wasp in the family Pompilidae. Adults are highly variable in coloration, displaying combinations of rufous-brown, yellow, and black markings. Females are 13 mm in length with curled antennae tips, while males have straight or gently curved antennae. The species exhibits Müllerian mimicry of paper wasps (Polistes). It preys exclusively on orb-weaver spiders (Araneidae) and has been documented visiting numerous flowering plants and extrafloral nectaries.
Poecilopompilus mixtus
Poecilopompilus mixtus is a spider wasp in the family Pompilidae. It is a predator of colonial orb-weaving spiders in the genus Metepeira. The species has been documented attacking social spider colonies in Mexico, where its hunting success is reduced when spiders form larger aggregations. It is one of several spider wasps in the genus Poecilopompilus that specialize in capturing orb-weaver spiders.