Priocnemis susterai

Priocnemis susterai is a large species of Pepsid spider wasp and is, with Priocnemis perturbator and Priocnemis coriacea, one of three similar species of the subgenus Umbripennis found in Great Britain which are characterised by having plentiful erect hair on the face and propodum.

Distribution

Widespread in central and southern Europe but it is difficult to distinguish from the more common P. perturbator. In Great Britain it is widely distributed in southern and central England as far north as north-east Yorkshire and westwards to Wales and Cornwall.^[2]

Habitat

Open woodland with dry soils, avoids waterlogged areas.^[2]

Biology

in Great Britain the flight period is April to August, and the species overwinters as an adult.^[3] Due to confusion with P.. perturbator prey records of the two species (formerly considered a single species P. fuscus) prey records are nor reliable but it is probable that P. susterai preys on larger spiders of the families Lycosidae and Gnaphosidae. Although little is known about the nesting biology of P. susterai, like other Priocnemis wasps ot probably excavates cells in pre-existing cavities. Like P.. coriacea the only flower it has been recorded nectaring at is wood spurge but it probably nectars at similar flowers with open corollas.^[2]

References

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1. ↑ 1.0 1.1 1.2 1.3 http://eunis.eea.europa.eu/species/240723
2. ↑ 2.0 2.1 2.2 2.3 2.4 2.5 Edwards R. & Telfer M. (eds), 2002, Provisional Atlas for the aculeate Hymenoptera of Britain and Ireland Part 4, NERC ISBN 1 870393 65 1
3. ↑ 3.0 3.1 3.2 3.3 http://www.natureconservationimaging.com/Pages/nature_conservation_imaging_woodland_hedgerow_spiders.htm