Numbers
There are up to 8 species in this genus, depending on the status of Aporinellus wheeleri.
Size
Rather small, 5-10 mm; females>males.
Identification
This genus belongs to the subfamily Pompilinae, tribe Pompilini and is identified by the following characters:
Spines at apex of hind tibia of unequal length and spacing, somewhat splayed out.
Hind tibia always smooth in nearctic species.
Dorsal side of hind femur with at least a few spine pits.
Pocket in the basioposterior corner of the third discal cell.
Labrum at least partially concealed.
Females of this genus possess a tarsal comb.
This genus is rather distinctive and is identified by the following characters:
Postnotum concealed dorsally, the metanotum and propodeum are in broad contact.
Propodeum produced into conical projections on the posterolateral corners.
Legs very spinose.
Anterior wing frequently with only two submarginal cells.
Keys to species in Wasbauer & Kimsey (1985)
(1) and Evans (1966)
(2)Range
Transcontinental. Many are widespread but local within certain habitats.
Habitat
Most are found strictly in sandy places, most of the time in the open. Some are found at woodland edges but the soil is almost always loose.
Season
In northern states it is found from mid-June through September, occasionally later. In flight a much longer period in the southern states.
Food
Adults are commonly found feeding on honeydew and flowers. They provision mainly with Salticids.
Life Cycle
Fossorial and psammophilous, females dig a rather shallow burrow and usually provision it with a Salticid spider. There are commonly several generations per year.
See Also
Rather distinctive among pompilines.
Print References
Evans, H.E. 1951. A taxonomic study of the nearctic spider wasps belonging to the tribe pompilini, Part III. Trans. Amer. Entomol. Soc., 77: 203-342. (descriptions, biology, keys are not as useful because of taxonomy changes)
(3). [Read online for free...
direct BHL link to Aporinellus treatment.]
Krombein, K.V. 1979. Pompilidae, pp. 1566-1567. In Krombein, K.V., P.D. Hurd, Jr., D.R. Smith, and B.D. Burks, eds. Catalog of Hymenoptera in America North of Mexico. Vol. 2 Apocrita (Aculeata). Smithsonian Inst. Press, Washington, D.C. (distribution, references, prey records)
(4). [Read online for free...
direct BHL link to Aporinellus listing.]
Wasbauer, M.S. and L.S. Kimsey. 1985. California spider wasps of the subfamily pompilinae. Bull. California Insect Survey, 26:1-130. University of California Press, Berkeley (key to N. American species)
(1). [Read online for free...
Google Books link.]
