Pygidial-plate
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Auplopus architectus architectus
Auplopus architectus architectus is a small spider-hunting wasp in the family Pompilidae. Females construct distinctive barrel-shaped mud cells to house their offspring, provisioning each cell with paralyzed spiders as food. The species is part of a genus known for unique nest-building behavior among pompilid wasps, which typically dig burrows rather than construct free-standing mud structures.
Auplopus caerulescens
Blue Mud-dauber Spider Wasp
Auplopus caerulescens is a small spider-hunting wasp in the family Pompilidae, tribe Auplopini. Females construct distinctive barrel-shaped mud cells, typically 15 mm long and 7-10 mm wide, often placed inside pre-existing cavities such as hollows in wood, rock crevices, or abandoned nests of other wasps. The species is known for its bright metallic blue-green coloration, with females bearing a diagnostic pygidial plate used to manipulate mud during nest construction. It is widely distributed across North America.
Auplopus mellipes mellipes
Auplopus mellipes mellipes is a small spider wasp in the family Pompilidae, tribe Auplopini. Females construct distinctive barrel-shaped mud cells to house their offspring, provisioning each cell with paralyzed spiders. The species belongs to a genus noted for opportunistic hunting of non-web-building spiders and for frequently utilizing pre-existing cavities or abandoned nests of other wasps as nest sites. Adults feed on honeydew from aphid colonies rather than visiting flowers.
Auplopus mellipes variitarsus
Auplopus mellipes variitarsus is a subspecies of small spider wasp in the family Pompilidae, tribe Auplopini. Females construct distinctive free-standing mud cells, typically barrel-shaped and approximately 15 millimeters long, to house paralyzed spider prey and a single offspring. The species exhibits bright metallic blue-green coloration, with females bearing a diagnostic pygidial plate on the abdomen used as a masonry trowel during nest construction. Like other Auplopus, this subspecies is solitary and non-aggressive, feeding on aphid honeydew as adults while provisioning nests with spiders from diverse families.