Spider-wasp
Guides
Ageniella
mud-nesting spider wasps
Ageniella is a genus of small, slender spider wasps in the family Pompilidae, tribe Ageniellini. Members construct mud nests—typically trumpet- or thimble-shaped cells—each stocked with a single paralyzed spider and provisioned with one egg. The genus includes at least one documented cave-nesting species (Ageniella evansi) and species exhibiting ant-mimicry. Sexual dimorphism is pronounced: females are often reddish or orange-brown with banded wings, while males are black with reddish leg markings and a white abdominal tip.
Ageniella accepta
Ageniella accepta is a small spider wasp (family Pompilidae) found across the southern United States and Mexico. Females exhibit striking ant-mimicry through orange-brown coloration and dark wing bands that resemble the constricted waist of ants. The species is part of the 'accepta species group' alongside A. conflicta and A. blaisdelli, with which it shares similar morphology and biology. Females hunt spiders to provision nests for their larvae.
Ageniella agenioides
Ageniella agenioides is a species of spider wasp in the family Pompilidae. The genus Ageniella includes small species that exhibit ant-mimicry, with females typically displaying orange and brown coloration with banded wings. Species-level identification within Ageniella is challenging and often requires expert examination rather than field observation alone. The genus as a whole is poorly documented, and many aspects of species-specific biology remain unknown.
Ageniella arcuata
Ageniella arcuata is a small spider wasp in the family Pompilidae, described by Banks in 1910. It belongs to the "accepta species group" of Ageniella, a complex of morphologically similar species that includes A. conflicta and A. blaisdelli. Like other members of this genus, it is likely a solitary hunter that provisions nests with paralyzed spiders for its larval offspring. The species is poorly documented in the scientific literature, with most biological details remaining unstudied.
Ageniella coronata
Ageniella coronata is a species of spider wasp in the family Pompilidae, first described by Banks in 1919. Like other members of the genus Ageniella, it is a small parasitoid wasp that hunts spiders to provision nests for its larval offspring. The genus is known for pronounced sexual dimorphism and ant-mimicry in females. Specific biological details for A. coronata remain poorly documented compared to better-studied congeners such as A. accepta and A. conflicta.
Ageniella euphorbiae
Ageniella euphorbiae is a species of spider wasp in the family Pompilidae, first described by Viereck in 1903. It belongs to the genus Ageniella, a group of small pompilid wasps known for ant-mimicry in females. The specific epithet 'euphorbiae' suggests an association with plants in the genus Euphorbia. The species is part of the 'accepta species group' within Ageniella, which includes at least three North American species.
Ageniella faceta
Ageniella faceta is a species of spider wasp in the family Pompilidae, first described by Cresson in 1872. It belongs to the 'accepta species group' within the genus Ageniella, which includes morphologically similar species that are difficult to distinguish without expert examination. The species has been historically confused with A. accepta and A. conflicta due to overlapping characteristics and limited diagnostic resources.
Ageniella longula
Ageniella longula is a species of spider wasp in the family Pompilidae. As with other members of the genus Ageniella, it likely exhibits ant-mimicry in females, with elongated legs and banded wings that create the illusion of ant-like body segmentation. The species belongs to the accepta species group, which includes at least three North American species characterized by small size and distinctive wing patterns.
Ageniella mintaka
Ageniella mintaka is a species of spider wasp in the family Pompilidae, first described by Brimley in 1928. It belongs to the genus Ageniella, which includes small wasps known for ant-mimicry and predation on spiders. The species is part of the 'accepta species group' within the genus. Like congeners, females are likely orange and brown with banded wings, while males differ markedly in coloration.
Ageniella placita
Ageniella placita is a species of spider wasp in the family Pompilidae, first described by Banks in 1910. As a member of the genus Ageniella, it belongs to a group of small wasps known for ant-mimicry in females and specialized spider-hunting behavior for provisioning nests. The species is part of the Nearctic fauna but is less documented than related species such as A. accepta and A. conflicta. Information specific to A. placita remains sparse in published literature.
Ageniella reynoldsi
Ageniella reynoldsi is a species of spider wasp in the family Pompilidae, first described by Banks in 1933. Like other members of the genus Ageniella, it is a small parasitoid wasp that hunts spiders to provision nests for its larval offspring. The species is part of the 'accepta species group' within Ageniella, which includes several morphologically similar species that can be difficult to distinguish from images alone. Very few observations of this species have been recorded, with only three observations documented on iNaturalist.
Agenioideus
spider wasps
Agenioideus is a genus of spider wasps in the family Pompilidae, subfamily Pompilinae. The genus contains approximately 30 described species distributed across Europe, Asia, North America, South America, and Australia. Species are generally small, with females of A. humilis measuring 5.5–10.5 mm and males 4–9.5 mm. The genus gained notable attention when A. nigricornis was documented as the first pompilid wasp known to parasitize the highly venomous redback spider (Latrodectus hasselti) in Australia.
Agenioideus birkmanni
Agenioideus birkmanni is a spider wasp in the family Pompilidae, first described by Banks in 1910. As a member of the genus Agenioideus, it belongs to a group of small to medium-sized wasps that paralyze spiders to provision nests for their larvae. The species is part of a Nearctic genus with approximately 15 recognized species, most of which are poorly known biologically. No specific behavioral or ecological observations have been documented for this particular species.
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.
Allaporus pulchellus
A spider wasp species in the family Pompilidae, originally described as Planiceps pulchella by Banks in 1910 and later transferred to the genus Allaporus. The genus Allaporus is a small group of pompilid wasps, and A. pulchellus appears to be a rarely encountered species with minimal documented observations.
Allochares
Allochares is a monotypic genus of spider wasps in the family Pompilidae, containing only the species Allochares azureus. The genus is endemic to the southern United States and Mexico. Its sole species is a specialist parasitoid of the southern house spider (Kukulcania hibernalis), exhibiting distinctive hunting and oviposition behaviors adapted to this host.
Ammosphex
Ammosphex is a subgenus of spider wasps in the genus Arachnospila, family Pompilidae. It was established by Wilcke in 1942 and comprises species distributed across East Siberia and the Russian Far East. Recent taxonomic work has described five new species from Tuva, Khakassia, and the Republic of Altai, and expanded known distributions for eight additional species. The group is characterized by morphological features distinguishable in males, for which a revised identification key covering 24 species exists.
Ammosphex angularis
Ammosphex angularis is a species of spider wasp in the family Pompilidae. The genus Ammosphex was established to accommodate certain species previously placed in Pompilus. This species was originally described by Banks in 1910 as Pompilus angularis angularis. Spider wasps in this family are solitary predators that paralyze spiders to provision nests for their larvae. The specific epithet 'angularis' likely refers to some angular feature of the body, though the original description would be needed to confirm this.
Ammosphex anomalus
Ammosphex anomalus is a species of spider wasp in the family Pompilidae, originally described by Dreisbach in 1950 as Pompilus anomalus anomalus. The species was later transferred to the genus Ammosphex. It is part of the aculeate wasp group within Hymenoptera. Very limited biological information is available for this species, with only a single observation recorded in iNaturalist and minimal published literature. The genus Ammosphex contains species that are generally associated with hunting spiders as prey for their larvae, consistent with the biology of Pompilidae.
Ammosphex michiganensis
Ammosphex michiganensis is a species of spider wasp in the family Pompilidae, first described by Dreisbach in 1949. The species was originally placed in the genus Pompilus before being transferred to Ammosphex. It is a member of the diverse spider wasp family, which are characterized by their habit of hunting spiders to provision nests for their larvae. The species has been documented through a limited number of observations, suggesting it may be uncommon or understudied.
Ammosphex solonus
Ammosphex solonus is a species of spider wasp in the family Pompilidae. The genus Ammosphex was established to accommodate species formerly placed in related genera such as Pompilus. Very few observations of this species exist in scientific databases.
Anoplius
Blue-black Spider Wasps
Anoplius is a large genus of spider wasps in the family Pompilidae, commonly known as the blue-black spider wasps. The genus contains over 200 described species distributed across multiple subgenera, with approximately 26 species occurring in Colorado alone. Most species are characterized by predominantly black or blue-black coloration, making field identification challenging without close examination. Members of this genus are solitary hunters that prey primarily on spiders, with most species specializing on wolf spiders (Lycosidae) and some exhibiting broader prey preferences.
Anoplius aethiops
Anoplius aethiops is a large spider wasp in the family Pompilidae. Females hunt and paralyze wolf spiders (family Lycosidae), particularly species in the genus Hogna, to provision underground burrows for their offspring. The species is widely distributed across North America and is most active in late summer and early fall. It is morphologically similar to Anoplius cleora, requiring microscopic examination for definitive identification.
Anoplius americanus ambiguus
Anoplius americanus ambiguus is a subspecies of spider wasp in the family Pompilidae. As a member of the genus Anoplius, it belongs to a diverse group of solitary wasps that prey primarily on spiders. The subspecies was described by Dahlbom in 1845. Like other Anoplius species, it likely exhibits the characteristic behaviors of digging burrows, paralyzing spider prey, and provisioning nests for larval development.
Anoplius americanus americanus
Anoplius americanus americanus is a subspecies of spider wasp in the family Pompilidae. Members of the genus Anoplius are solitary wasps that hunt spiders to provision nests for their larvae. This subspecies is part of a widespread North American species complex. Spider wasps in this genus are known for their distinctive hunting behavior and powerful stings used to paralyze prey.
Anoplius americanus trifasciatus
Anoplius americanus trifasciatus is a subspecies of spider wasp in the family Pompilidae. As part of the genus Anoplius, it shares the general biology of spider wasps: females hunt spiders, paralyze them with venom, and provision underground burrows as food for their larvae. The subspecies designation indicates geographic or morphological variation within the widespread A. americanus species complex. Like other Anoplius species, it is solitary and predatory, with adults likely visiting flowers for nectar.
Anoplius apiculatus
spider wasp
Anoplius apiculatus is a species of spider wasp in the family Pompilidae. It is a solitary wasp that preys on spiders, specifically known to hunt the Beach Wolf Spider (Arctosa littoralis). The species is part of the diverse genus Anoplius, which contains numerous spider wasp species across North America. Like other members of its genus, females dig burrows and provision them with paralyzed spiders as food for their developing larvae.
Anoplius atrox
Spider wasp
Anoplius atrox is a species of spider wasp in the family Pompilidae. It is a large, robust wasp with distinctive coloration that has been frequently mistaken for other wasp species by observers. The species is known to prey on spiders, particularly wolf spiders (Lycosidae), which it paralyzes and provisions in underground burrows for its larvae. It has been documented in North America, with records from various regions including the western United States.
Anoplius brevihirta
Anoplius brevihirta is a species of spider wasp in the family Pompilidae. According to current taxonomic databases, this name is treated as a synonym of Anoplius cylindricus. The species was originally described by Nathan Banks in 1945. As a member of the genus Anoplius, it belongs to a diverse group of spider wasps known for hunting wolf spiders and other ground-dwelling spiders to provision their nests.
Anoplius carolinus
Spider Wasp
Anoplius carolinus is a species of spider wasp in the family Pompilidae, first described by Banks in 1921. The genus Anoplius comprises spider wasps that hunt wolf spiders (family Lycosidae) and other wandering spiders to provision nests for their larvae. Like other members of the genus, this species likely exhibits the characteristic behaviors of digging burrows, paralyzing prey with venom, and laying a single egg on the immobilized spider. The specific epithet 'carolinus' suggests a connection to the Carolinas or southeastern United States, though detailed distributional records are sparse.
Anoplius cleora
Anoplius cleora is a species of spider wasp in the family Pompilidae. It is closely related to and morphologically similar to Anoplius aethiops, requiring microscopic examination to distinguish between the two. The species is associated with open sand dune habitats, where it replaces its congener A. aethiops. Like other members of the genus, it is a solitary hunter that provisions underground nests with paralyzed wolf spiders as food for its larvae.
Anoplius depressipes
Anoplius depressipes is a spider wasp in the family Pompilidae, notable for its specialized hunting of fishing spiders in the genus Dolomedes. The species exhibits remarkable aquatic adaptations, including the ability to walk on water and dive underwater for several minutes to capture prey that attempts to escape beneath the surface. This wasp represents a striking example of predator-prey coevolution with semi-aquatic spiders.
Anoplius ithaca
Anoplius ithaca is a species of spider wasp in the family Pompilidae. Very little specific information is available for this species. Based on its classification within the genus Anoplius, it likely shares the general biology of other members of this genus: females hunt spiders, paralyze them with venom, and provision underground burrows as food for their larvae. The species was described by Nathan Banks in 1912.
Anoplius nigritus
Anoplius nigritus is a species of spider wasp in the family Pompilidae. As a member of the genus Anoplius, it shares the general biology of other spider wasps in this group: females hunt spiders, paralyze them with venom, and provision underground burrows as food for their developing larvae. The species has been recorded from Brazil (Rio Grande do Sul) and Argentina, placing it in the southern Neotropical region. Specific details about its appearance, host preferences, and behavior remain poorly documented in available literature.
Anoplius semirufus
Anoplius semirufus is a species of spider wasp in the family Pompilidae. As a member of the genus Anoplius, it belongs to a diverse group of solitary wasps that prey primarily on spiders. The species name 'semirufus' (half-red) suggests distinctive reddish coloration on part of the body, likely the abdomen. Like other Anoplius species, it is presumed to hunt wolf spiders or similar ground-dwelling spiders, paralyzing them with venom to provision underground nest cells for its larvae.
Anoplius splendens
Anoplius splendens is a spider wasp in the family Pompilidae. Laboratory studies have demonstrated that adult females exhibit olfactory learning behavior, specifically learning to associate the odor of host spider feces with the presence of suitable hosts. This cognitive ability enhances their efficiency in locating host microhabitats. The species was described by Dreisbach in 1949.
Anoplius subcylindricus
Anoplius subcylindricus is a species of spider wasp in the family Pompilidae. It belongs to a diverse genus of solitary wasps that prey primarily on spiders. Like other members of Anoplius, this species exhibits the characteristic behaviors of spider wasps: females hunt spiders, paralyze them with venom, and provision underground burrows with these paralyzed prey for their larval offspring. The species was described by Nathan Banks in 1917.
Anoplius toluca
Anoplius toluca is a spider wasp species in the family Pompilidae, first described by Cameron in 1893. As a member of the genus Anoplius, it belongs to a diverse group of solitary wasps that prey primarily on spiders. The species is recorded from Hawaii, though detailed biological information appears limited in available sources. Like other Anoplius species, it likely exhibits the characteristic hunting behavior of paralyzing spiders with its sting to provision nests for its larvae.
Anoplius virginiensis
Virginia Blue-black Spider Wasp
Anoplius virginiensis is a spider wasp in the family Pompilidae. Members of the genus Anoplius are solitary wasps that prey on spiders, paralyzing them with venom to serve as food for their larvae. The species was described by Cresson in 1867 and is known from limited observations.
Aporinellus basalis
Aporinellus basalis is a species of spider wasp in the family Pompilidae, described by Banks in 1933. Members of the genus Aporinellus are solitary wasps that hunt spiders to provision nests for their larvae. The species is part of the diverse aculeate wasp fauna of North America. Like other pompilids, females paralyze spiders with their sting and cache them as food for their developing offspring.
Aporinellus fasciatus
Aporinellus fasciatus is a species of spider wasp in the family Pompilidae, described by Smith in 1855. Members of this genus are solitary wasps that hunt spiders as prey for their larvae. The specific epithet "fasciatus" refers to a banded appearance, though detailed descriptions of this species' morphology are limited in available sources. Like other pompilid wasps, it likely exhibits the characteristic behaviors of spider wasps, including paralyzing spiders to serve as living food stores for developing offspring.
Aporinellus taeniatus
Aporinellus taeniatus is a species of spider wasp in the family Pompilidae, first described by Kohl in 1886. The species belongs to a genus of solitary wasps known for hunting spiders as prey for their larvae. Like other members of Pompilidae, this species exhibits the characteristic wasp-waisted body form and possesses a sting used to paralyze host spiders. The specific epithet 'taeniatus' refers to a banded or striped appearance, suggesting distinctive coloration patterns on the body.
Aporinellus yucatanensis
A species of spider wasp in the family Pompilidae, described from the Yucatán Peninsula of Mexico in 1893. As a member of Aporinellus, it is presumed to be a solitary wasp that hunts spiders as prey for its larvae, though specific biological details remain undocumented. The species is known from very few records, with minimal observational data available.
Aporus
spider wasps
Aporus is a genus of small spider wasps in the family Pompilidae, containing approximately twelve described species. These wasps are specialized predators that hunt ground-dwelling spiders, particularly those occupying burrows. The genus is distributed across North America, Europe, and Asia. Adults are frequently observed visiting flowers for nectar.
Aporus concolor
Aporus concolor is a species of spider wasp in the family Pompilidae. The genus Aporus is characterized by a streamlined thorax that slopes gradually toward the head, short legs relative to other spider wasps, and relatively short, thick antennae. Species-level information for A. concolor specifically is sparse in the available literature. Members of this genus are parasitoids that paralyze spiders and use the spider's own burrow as a nest, depositing a single egg on the immobilized host.
Aporus hirsutus
hirsute spider wasp
Aporus hirsutus is a species of spider wasp in the family Pompilidae, described by Banks in 1917. It belongs to a genus characterized by a streamlined thorax that slopes gradually toward the head, short legs relative to body size, and short, thick antennae. Members of the genus Aporus are known to parasitize trapdoor spiders and other mygalomorph spiders, with females utilizing the host's own burrow as a nest after paralyzing the spider with a sting.
Aporus luxus
Aporus luxus is a small spider wasp in the family Pompilidae, recognized by its iridescent blue-black coloration and streamlined body form. Adults measure 8-15 mm in length and are frequently observed on flowers, particularly umbellifers such as Queen Anne's Lace (Daucus carota), where they feed on nectar. The species is a specialist parasitoid of trapdoor spiders in the family Euctenizidae, with at least one confirmed record of rearing from Aptostichus sp. Females sting spiders into paralysis and deposit a single egg on the host within the spider's own burrow.
Aporus luxus assimilis
Aporus luxus assimilis is a subspecies of spider wasp in the family Pompilidae, originally described by Banks in 1917. Current taxonomic databases list this name as a synonym of Aporus luxus rather than a valid subspecies. The parent species A. luxus is a small iridescent blue-black wasp, 8–15 mm in length, known from western North America. Adults are commonly found on flowers of umbellifers and other plants where they feed on nectar. Females hunt trapdoor spiders (family Euctenizidae), paralyzing them and using the spider's own burrow as a nest for their offspring.
Arachnospila arcta
Arachnospila arcta is a species of spider wasp in the family Pompilidae, first described by Cresson in 1865. The species is currently treated as a synonym of Arachnospila arctus. Members of this genus are solitary wasps that provision nests with paralyzed spiders. The taxon has been documented in very few observations, suggesting it is either rare, undercollected, or primarily of historical taxonomic interest due to its synonym status.
Arachnospila scelestus
Arachnospila scelestus is a species of spider wasp in the family Pompilidae. The species was originally described as Pompilus scelestus by Cresson in 1865 and later transferred to the genus Arachnospila. As with other members of this family, it is presumed to be a solitary wasp that hunts spiders to provision nests for its offspring, though specific natural history details for this species remain poorly documented. The species is currently treated as a synonym in some taxonomic databases, reflecting ongoing revisions within the genus.