Pepsis
Guides
Mydas xanthopterus
Mydas xanthopterus is a species of mydas fly in the family Mydidae. It occurs in North America, specifically in Mexico and the United States. The species is notable for its resemblance to red-winged Pepsis spider wasps, suggesting possible Batesian mimicry. It occurs in sympatry with Pepsis grossa, a large spider wasp species.
Pompilidae
Spider Wasps, Spider-hunting Wasps, Pompilid Wasps
Spider wasps in the family Pompilidae are solitary, stinging wasps that hunt spiders to provision nests for their larvae. The family contains approximately 5,000 described species in six subfamilies, distributed worldwide. Most species capture and paralyze spiders using venom, then deposit them in burrows or cavities where a single egg is laid on each victim. Females of the genus Auplopus construct distinctive free-standing mud cells, while most other genera excavate burrows in soil or use pre-existing cavities. Members of the subfamily Ceropalinae are kleptoparasites, laying eggs in the nests of other pompilids or acting as ectoparasitoids of living spiders rather than building their own nests.
Hymenopterasolitary-waspsspider-predatorsparasitoidsmud-nest-buildersburrowing-waspsant-mimicskleptoparasitesPepsinaeCeropalinaePompilinaeAuplopusAnopliusAgeniellaCaliadurgusPepsisPriocnemisAplocharesArachnospilaEvagetesAgenioideusEpisyronNanoclaveliaPedinpompilusAgenioidevatetesNorth-AmericaAustraliaIranEuropecosmopolitan