Orbweaver-predator
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Agenioideus humilis
Spider Wasp
Agenioideus humilis is a small spider wasp in the family Pompilidae that hunts orbweaver spiders (Araneidae) as prey for its larvae. Females paralyze spiders with their sting, then transport them to nest burrows where a single egg is laid on the immobilized host. The species ranges across most of the United States but is considered scarce throughout its distribution. It favors woodland habitats with sandy soil and has been observed nesting in both excavated burrows and pre-existing cavities such as rock crevices and building cracks.
Poecilopompilus
spider wasps
Poecilopompilus is a genus of fossorial spider wasps in the family Pompilidae, distributed throughout the New World. These wasps are notable for their Müllerian mimicry of social paper wasps (Polistes), sharing similar yellow and black or reddish-brown color patterns. Females hunt orbweaver spiders (Araneidae), paralyzing them with a sting and transporting them to underground burrows where an egg is laid on each spider. The genus contains approximately 37 recognized species, with only a few extending into the United States.
Poecilopompilus algidus algidus
Poecilopompilus algidus algidus is a subspecies of spider wasp in the family Pompilidae. This subspecies exhibits remarkable geographic variation in coloration and mimicry patterns, resembling paper wasps in southern populations and darker spider wasps in northern populations. It is one of three Poecilopompilus species known from the United States and is notable for its Müllerian mimicry of other stinging wasps.
Poecilopompilus algidus coquilletti
Poecilopompilus algidus coquilletti is a subspecies of spider wasp in the family Pompilidae. It is a Müllerian mimic that closely resembles paper wasps (Polistes) in the southern United States, but northern populations may mimic the black-and-red coloration of Anoplius spider wasps instead. This plastic mimicry represents one of the more remarkable examples of intraspecific color variation in wasps. The subspecies is part of a predominantly tropical genus with only three species reaching the United States.
Poecilopompilus algidus marcidus
Poecilopompilus algidus marcidus is a subspecies of spider wasp in the family Pompilidae. This subspecies belongs to a genus known for Müllerian mimicry with paper wasps, displaying warning coloration that advertises its ability to deliver painful stings. Like other members of Poecilopompilus, females hunt orbweaver spiders (family Araneidae) to provision nests for their larvae. The species P. algidus exhibits remarkable geographic variation in coloration across its range, with subspecies including marcidus representing regional morphological variants.
Poecilopompilus algidus willistoni
Poecilopompilus algidus willistoni is a subspecies of spider wasp in the family Pompilidae. The species P. algidus exhibits Müllerian mimicry of paper wasps (Polistes), with coloration varying geographically—southern populations resemble large paper wasps while northern populations may appear almost entirely black with red abdominal bands. This subspecies is part of a widespread North American spider wasp that preys exclusively on orbweaver spiders (Araneidae). Females construct shallow burrows in bare soil where they provision nests with paralyzed spiders for their larvae.
Poecilopompilus interruptus cressoni
Poecilopompilus interruptus cressoni is a subspecies of spider wasp in the family Pompilidae. The nominate species P. interruptus is a widespread member of a mostly tropical genus with three species reaching the United States. This subspecies was described by Nathan Banks in 1944. Spider wasps in this genus are known for their Müllerian mimicry of paper wasps (Polistes), sharing bold aposematic coloration despite being capable of delivering painful stings themselves.
Poecilopompilus interruptus interruptus
Poecilopompilus interruptus interruptus is a subspecies of spider wasp in the family Pompilidae. It is part of a genus known for Müllerian mimicry of paper wasps (Polistes), displaying bold aposematic coloration. The species is distributed across much of North America, with this nominate subspecies representing the eastern population. Females are solitary hunters that provision nests with paralyzed orbweaver spiders.
Poecilopompilus interruptus semiflavus
Semiflavate Interrupted Spider Wasp
A subspecies of spider wasp in the family Pompilidae, described by Evans in 1966. Belongs to a genus of mostly tropical spider wasps with only three species reaching the United States. The nominate species Poecilopompilus interruptus is widespread and highly variable in coloration, with multiple subspecies recognized based on geographic variation in color pattern. Members of this genus are known for Müllerian mimicry of paper wasps (Polistes) and other defended spider wasps.