Spider-wasp
Guides
Episyron
Episyron is a genus of spider wasps in the family Pompilidae. Members are medium to large-sized wasps that construct ground nests in sandy substrates and provision them with paralyzed spiders. Nine species occur in Europe, with additional species documented in North America including the northeastern United States.
Episyron biguttatus californicum
Episyron biguttatus californicum is a subspecies of spider wasp in the family Pompilidae. As a member of the genus Episyron, it belongs to a group of solitary wasps specialized in hunting spiders as prey for their larvae. The subspecies epithet 'californicum' indicates a geographic association with California. Like other pompilid wasps, females paralyze spiders with their sting and provision underground burrows for their offspring.
Episyron snowi
A species of spider wasp in the family Pompilidae, described by Viereck in 1906. Very few documented observations exist for this species, with only 3 records in iNaturalist. The genus Episyron comprises spider-hunting wasps that provision their nests with paralyzed spiders.
Episyronini
Episyronini is a tribe of spider wasps within the family Pompilidae. Members are solitary wasps that hunt spiders to provision nests for their larvae. The tribe is distinguished by morphological features of the mesosoma and wing venation. Episyronini species are primarily found in the Americas, with some extending into other regions. They represent a well-supported monophyletic group within the subfamily Pepsinae.
Evagetes
Evagetes is a genus of kleptoparasitic spider wasps in the family Pompilidae, containing 72 described species. Unlike most spider wasps that hunt spiders directly, Evagetes species parasitize the nests of other pompilid wasps by entering sealed burrows, consuming the host egg, and replacing it with their own. The genus is primarily distributed in the Palaearctic region (58 species), with 11 species in the Nearctic region and limited representation in other biogeographic realms. Evagetes is distinguished from related genera by its notably short antennae.
Evagetes mohave
Evagetes mohave is a species of spider wasp in the family Pompilidae, described by Nathan Banks in 1933. The genus Evagetes is characterized by a blocky, robust thorax that distinguishes it from the related genus Aporus, which has a more streamlined thorax that slopes gradually toward the head. Members of the genus Evagetes share with Aporus relatively short and thick antennae. The species epithet 'mohave' suggests an association with the Mojave Desert region of southwestern North America.
Evagetes padrinus minusculus
Evagetes padrinus minusculus is a subspecies of spider wasp in the family Pompilidae. It was described by Banks in 1910. The genus Evagetes belongs to the spider wasp family, whose females paralyze spiders to provision nests for their larvae. Members of this genus can be distinguished from the unrelated genus Aporus by their blockier thorax morphology.
Evagetes parvus
Evagetes parvus is a small spider wasp in the family Pompilidae, first described by Cresson in 1865. Members of the genus Evagetes are characterized by relatively short, thick antennae and a blocky, robust thorax that distinguishes them from the streamlined genus Aporus, which shares similar antennae proportions. The species is part of the diverse spider wasp fauna of North America.
Hemipepsis
tarantula hawks, Old and New World Tarantula-hawk Wasps
Hemipepsis is a genus of large spider wasps in the family Pompilidae, commonly known as tarantula hawks. The genus contains approximately 180 species distributed throughout tropical and subtropical regions worldwide, with significant diversity in Africa, Asia, and the Americas. Hemipepsis wasps are distinguished from the related genus Pepsis by subtle differences in wing venation patterns. In South Africa, Hemipepsis wasps serve as exclusive pollinators for 18 plant species across three families (Apocynaceae, Orchidaceae, and Asparagaceae subfamily Scilloodeae). The genus has been extensively studied for its complex male territorial behavior, particularly in the North American species H. ustulata.
Hemipepsis toussainti
Hemipepsis toussainti is a species of tarantula hawk wasp in the family Pompilidae, described by Banks in 1928. It belongs to the genus Hemipepsis, which includes large, predatory spider wasps that paralyze tarantulas to provision their nests. The species is part of a diverse group of tarantula hawks found in western North America. Very few observations of this species have been recorded.
Hemipepsis ustulata
Flamed Tarantula-hawk Wasp, tarantula hawk
Hemipepsis ustulata is a large spider wasp in the family Pompilidae, commonly known as a tarantula hawk. It is native to the Southwestern United States and is among the largest Hymenoptera, reaching up to 5 cm in length. Females hunt tarantulas, paralyzing them with a powerful sting to serve as living food for their larvae. Males exhibit complex lekking territorial behavior, defending prominent perches on hilltops to intercept receptive females. The species has matte black coloration with rust-orange wings, distinguishing it from the iridescent blue-black Pepsis species.
Minagenia
Minagenia is a genus of spider wasps in the family Pompilidae, characterized by a koinobiont parasitoid lifestyle. Females paralyze spiders and lay eggs on them, with larvae developing while the host remains alive and continues to grow. This developmental strategy distinguishes Minagenia from many idiobiont pompilids that permanently paralyze hosts. The genus was established by Banks in 1934.
Miscophus slossonae
Miscophus slossonae is a species of solitary wasp in the family Crabronidae, tribe Miscophini. It belongs to a genus of thread-waisted wasps known for provisioning nests with spiders. The species was described in 1897 and is recorded from North America. Like other Miscophus species, it is presumed to be a spider-hunting wasp, though specific biological details for this species remain poorly documented.
Nitela
Nitela is a genus of solitary wasps in the family Crabronidae, tribe Miscophini. The genus has a cosmopolitan distribution and was established by Latreille in 1809. As members of the Miscophini, species in this genus are presumed to be spider-hunting wasps, though specific biological details for most species remain poorly documented. The genus includes species such as N. amazonica and N. apoensis.
Notocyphinae
Notocyphinae is a monotypic subfamily of spider wasps containing the single genus Notocyphus. These wasps are distributed across the Nearctic and Neotropical regions. The subfamily is notable for parasitism on tarantulas, including documented cases involving the aviculariine tarantula Avicularia purpurea in the Ecuadorian Amazon.
Notocyphus
Notocyphus is a genus of spider wasps and the sole genus in the monotypic subfamily Notocyphinae. These wasps are known to parasitize tarantulas, including arboreal species in the subfamily Aviculariinae and terrestrial species in Theraphosinae. The genus occurs in the Nearctic and Neotropical regions, with documented host associations in the Amazon region of Ecuador and Brazil.
Paracyphononyx funereus
Paracyphononyx funereus is a species of spider wasp in the family Pompilidae, first described by Lepeletier in 1845. It belongs to a genus known for koinobiont ectoparasitoid behavior, where females lay eggs on paralyzed spiders that remain mobile until the larva reaches its final developmental stage. The species is part of a group of spider wasps that exhibit diverse host manipulation strategies. Specific biological details for P. funereus remain poorly documented in available literature.
Pepsini
Tarantula-hawk Wasps and Allies
Pepsini is a tribe of spider wasps within the family Pompilidae, comprising approximately 11 genera and at least 40 described species. The tribe includes the well-known genus *Pepsis*, commonly called tarantula hawks, which are among the largest spider wasps. Members of Pepsini are specialized predators that hunt spiders as hosts for their offspring. The tribe has undergone taxonomic revision, with several genera transferred to the separate tribes Deuterageniini and Priocnemini.
Pepsis
tarantula hawks, New World Tarantula-hawk Wasps
Pepsis is a genus of large spider wasps in the family Pompilidae, commonly known as tarantula hawks. These wasps are among the largest stinging insects in the world and are restricted to the Americas. Females hunt tarantulas and other large mygalomorph spiders, paralyzing them with a sting to serve as living food for their larvae. Adults feed primarily on nectar, especially from milkweed flowers. The genus is closely related to Hemipepsis, which occurs in both Old and New Worlds.
Pepsis basifusca
tarantula hawk
Pepsis basifusca is a species of tarantula hawk wasp in the family Pompilidae, described by Lucas in 1895. As a member of the genus Pepsis, it is a large, solitary spider wasp that hunts tarantulas to provision nests for its larvae. The species is part of a diverse genus of tarantula hawks found primarily in the Americas, known for their potent sting and aposematic coloration.
Pepsis chrysothemis
Pepsis chrysothemis is a large spider wasp in the family Pompilidae, commonly known as a tarantula hawk. It occurs in the southwestern United States and Mexico. Females hunt tarantulas, paralyzing them with a sting and laying a single egg on the immobilized spider. The species exhibits the classic tarantula hawk coloration of iridescent blue-black body with orange wings, though some individuals may show variation.
Pepsis menechma
Elegant Tarantula Hawk
Pepsis menechma, commonly known as the elegant tarantula hawk, is a large spider wasp in the family Pompilidae. In 2005, Vardy synonymized 18 previously recognized species under this name, establishing it as a single widespread transamerican species with extensive color variation across its range. The species is distributed from North America through South America. Like other tarantula hawks, females hunt tarantulas as hosts for their larvae.
Pepsis mexicana
Mexican tarantula-hawk wasp
Pepsis mexicana is a species of tarantula hawk wasp in the family Pompilidae. Females hunt and paralyze large theraphosid spiders to provision nests for their larvae. The species is notable for its relatively small size compared to other Pepsis species and its distinctive wing markings. Both sexes feed on nectar from flowering plants.
Pepsis mildei
Milde's tarantula-hawk wasp, Milde's tarantula hawk
Pepsis mildei is a large spider wasp in the family Pompilidae, commonly known as Milde's tarantula-hawk wasp. It is native to the Western Hemisphere, with documented records across the southwestern and central United States, Mexico, and Central America. The species exhibits sexual dimorphism in antennae structure and lifespan, with females living longer than males. Adults feed on nectar from flowers, while larvae are obligate parasitoids of tarantulas. The wasp has been observed to learn from experience, avoiding chemically defended spiders after a single negative encounter.
Pepsis pallidolimbata
tarantula hawk
Pepsis pallidolimbata is a species of tarantula hawk wasp in the family Pompilidae. As a member of the genus Pepsis, it shares the characteristic large size and distinctive coloration of tarantula hawks, with females possessing a potent sting used to paralyze tarantula prey. The species was described by Lucas in 1895. Like other Pepsis species, females hunt tarantulas to provision nests for their larvae, while adults of both sexes feed on nectar.
Pepsis thisbe
Thisbe's tarantula-hawk wasp
Pepsis thisbe is a large spider wasp in the family Pompilidae, commonly known as Thisbe's tarantula-hawk wasp. Females are 32–44 mm in length with a dark blue body and orange wings. The species exhibits pronounced sexual dimorphism: females have curly antennae and a 7 mm stinger, while males have straight antennae and lack stingers entirely. Adults are nectarivorous, feeding primarily on flowers, but females hunt tarantulas as food for their larvae. The species is distributed throughout the American Southwest in desert areas.
Phanagenia
Phanagenia is a genus of spider wasps in the tribe Ageniellini, family Pompilidae. The genus contains only one species in North America, Phanagenia bombycina. These wasps are solitary hunters that construct mud nests to house their offspring, provisioning them with paralyzed spiders.
Pison
Pison is a cosmopolitan genus of spider wasps in the family Crabronidae, comprising approximately 145 described species with many more undescribed, particularly in South America. Adult females hunt and paralyze living spiders to provision nest cells, on which they lay eggs. The genus exhibits diverse nesting strategies, including mud construction, use of natural cavities, and excavation of burrows. Pison wasps are most diverse in the Southern Hemisphere, with about one-third of species occurring in Australia.
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
Spider Wasp
Poecilopompilus algidus is a spider wasp (family Pompilidae) widespread across the Americas, from southern Canada to Argentina. The species exhibits remarkable geographic variation in coloration due to Müllerian mimicry of sympatric wasps—resembling paper wasps (Polistes) in the south and dark spider wasps (Anoplius) in the north. Females hunt orb-weaver spiders (Araneidae) to provision underground nests, paralyzing prey with a sting and dragging it backwards to burrow sites in sandy soils. The species includes five recognized subspecies with varying distributions across North and South America.
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
Interrupted Spider Wasp
Poecilopompilus interruptus is a New World spider wasp in the family Pompilidae. Adults are highly variable in coloration, displaying combinations of rufous-brown, yellow, and black markings. Females are 13 mm in length with curled antennae tips, while males have straight or gently curved antennae. The species exhibits Müllerian mimicry of paper wasps (Polistes). It preys exclusively on orb-weaver spiders (Araneidae) and has been documented visiting numerous flowering plants and extrafloral nectaries.
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.
Poecilopompilus mixtus
Poecilopompilus mixtus is a spider wasp in the family Pompilidae. It is a predator of colonial orb-weaving spiders in the genus Metepeira. The species has been documented attacking social spider colonies in Mexico, where its hunting success is reduced when spiders form larger aggregations. It is one of several spider wasps in the genus Poecilopompilus that specialize in capturing orb-weaver spiders.
Priocnemini
Priocnemini is a tribe of spider wasps within the family Pompilidae, subfamily Ctenocerinae. Members are distinguished by elongated, slender bodies and long legs adapted for pursuing spider prey. The tribe includes numerous genera distributed across tropical and subtropical regions worldwide. These wasps are solitary hunters that paralyze spiders to provision nests for their larvae.
Priocnemis
spider wasp
Priocnemis is a genus of spider wasps in the family Pompilidae, subfamily Pepsinae, containing approximately 30 species. These solitary aculeate wasps are specialized predators of spiders, with females hunting and paralyzing prey to provision nest cells for their larvae. The genus has a wide geographic distribution including North America, Europe, and Asia, with species varying in size from small to relatively large among pompilids.
Priocnemis cornica
spider wasp
Priocnemis cornica is a species of spider wasp in the family Pompilidae. It has been documented as a predator of the Beach Wolf Spider (Arctosa littoralis), paralyzing spiders to serve as food for its larval offspring. The species was first described by Thomas Say in 1836.
Priocnemis 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 hestia
Priocnemis hestia is a species of spider wasp in the family Pompilidae, described by Banks in 1915. Like other members of the genus Priocnemis, it is presumed to be a solitary parasitoid of spiders. The species is part of a diverse genus of spider wasps found primarily in North America.
Priocnemis minorata
spider wasp
Priocnemis minorata is a medium-sized spider wasp in the family Pompilidae. It is among the first pompilid species to appear in spring, with peak activity in April and May. The species is known for hunting spiders in deciduous forest leaf litter, paralyzing them to provision underground nests for its larvae.
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.
Priocnemis notha
Priocnemis notha is a species of spider wasp in the family Pompilidae, first described by Cresson in 1867. The species is currently accepted as valid, though some sources list it as a synonym. As a member of the genus Priocnemis, it is part of a group of solitary wasps that paralyze spiders to provision nests for their larvae. Specific biological details for this species remain poorly documented in the available literature.
Priocnemis notha occidentis
Priocnemis notha occidentis is a subspecies of spider wasp in the family Pompilidae, first described by Banks in 1944. As a member of the genus Priocnemis, it belongs to a group of solitary wasps that hunt spiders to provision nests for their larval offspring. The subspecific epithet "occidentis" indicates a western distribution, distinguishing it from the nominate subspecies.
Priocnemis oregona
Priocnemis oregona is a species of spider wasp in the family Pompilidae, first described by Banks in 1933. As a member of the genus Priocnemis, it belongs to a group of solitary wasps that hunt spiders to provision nests for their larvae. The species epithet suggests an association with Oregon or the Pacific Northwest region. Specific biological details for this species remain poorly documented in available sources.
Priocnemis scitula
Priocnemis scitula is a species of spider wasp in the family Pompilidae. It belongs to a genus of medium-sized wasps that prey on spiders to provision nests for their larvae. The species was described by Cresson in 1867. Like other members of Priocnemis, it is a solitary hunting wasp with specific host associations.