Priocnemis
Guides
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-AmericaAustraliaIranEuropecosmopolitanPriocnemis germana
Priocnemis germana is a species of spider wasp in the family Pompilidae, first described by Cresson in 1867. Like other members of the genus Priocnemis, this species is a solitary wasp that hunts spiders to provision nests for its larval offspring. The species belongs to a genus characterized by serrated hind tibiae, a diagnostic feature distinguishing them from other black spider wasps. Very few specific observations or detailed biological studies have been published for this particular species.
Priocnemis minuscula
Priocnemis minuscula is a species of spider wasp in the family Pompilidae. The species was described by Banks in 1917. As a member of the genus Priocnemis, it belongs to a group of solitary wasps that paralyze spiders to provision nests for their larvae. Specific biological details for this species remain poorly documented in available literature.