Trapdoor-spider-predator
Guides
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.
Psorthaspis planata
Psorthaspis planata is a spider-hunting wasp in the family Pompilidae, native to western North America with highest observation frequency in California and Baja California. The species specializes in hunting trapdoor spiders, with the California trapdoor spider documented as prey. Sexual dimorphism in eye and ocellar structure has been described, with females showing eyes positioned remote from the head vertex and low ocelli placement.