Synonyms and other taxonomic changes
Some species listed formerly under Pedinaspis.
Identification
Long pronotum (longer than mesonotum) usually evident. Head attachment (pronotal collar) very high, in the same plane as the dorsal surface of the thorax. Three submarginal cells in forewing (may be visible with clear photo). Six of the species are marked with bright orange and some are mostly orange. Females are sometimes identifiable in the field. All males are completely black and usually not identifiable in the field.
Key to the species of Psorthaspis known to occur east of the Mississippi River
As stated above this key is limited to the members of this genus known to occur east of the Mississippi. There are only two males known for four species (see below) and it should work for all four females. There are more diagnostic characters for Psorthaspis but I felt it unnecessary to cover them in the key, the first couplet should be sufficient in most of the east (beware Epipompilus in southern Florida.
1a. Pronotum rather short, usually much shorter than mesonotum; pronotal collar depressed, usually on a much lower plane than the vertex of the thoracic dorsum; often with a tarsal comb.............................(Pompilini, not covered in this key)
1b. Pronotum long and continuous with mesonotum; vertex of head and pronotal collar not or barely depressed, usually on the same plane as the vertex of the thoracic dorsum but with three submarginal cells in the anterior wing (compare other Aporini); never with a tarsal comb.................................................Genus Psorthaspis
2a. Wings evenly pigmented, not fasciate...................................................2
2b. Wings fasciate...................................................................................3
3a. Integument mostly black; orange pigment limited to a pair of fused spots, one on each side of the third tergite.......................................................brimleyi (Malloch)
3b. Integument with limited black, mostly orange...................sanguinea (Smith)
4a. Calcaria whitish; integument of head usually orange; tergites three and four with cream-colored markings, usually complete, although marks on fourth tergite may be interrupted medially.................................................... legatus (Cresson)
4b. Calcaria black; integument of head usually orange; tergites three and four lacking light markings; often larger than the above species.......................mariae (Cresson)
Males of P. sanguinea and P. brimleyi are unknown or have not yet been associated with the correct female in literature. Males with white calcaria belong to P. legatus, males with black belong to P. mariae.
Range
This genus is found throughout most of the country, but is less common as you go north. Many species are found in the southwest.
Habitat
Females usually found on the ground searching through debris for prey. Males, when encountered are also found near the ground. All eastern species are found in woods.
Season
This genus is usually found in late summer-early autumn, especially in the northern part of it's range (personal observation).
Food
As in all spider wasps they feed on spiders. It is suspected that this genus feeds on trapdoor spiders, although the prey item is known only for one species (P. planata, prey: Bothriocyrtum californicum). This genus is not known to commonly visit flowers.
Life Cycle
Most probably have one generation per year.
See Also
The entirely black members of this genus are very similar to the genus Aporus; wing venation is the best separating character, Aporus has only two submarginal cells in the forewing.
Print References
Brimley, p. 432, lists three species in genus
Pedinaspis for North Carolina
(1).
Bradley, pp. 37-41, has keys to the species of American, Mexican, and Central American Psorthaspis.
Krombein et al., pp. 1544-1545 lists all the North American species and notes and states in which each species has been recorded.
Internet References
North Carolina State University Entomology Collection lists for that state, with number pinned: brimleyi (32), legata (20), mariae (4), sanguinea (2)
