Numbers
Three species, all monotypic.
Size
Females are typically 12-15 mm (occasionally slightly larger), males smaller.
Identification
Sericopompilus is in the subfamiliy Pompilinae, tribe Pompilini which is defined by the following characters: spine pits on the dorsal side of the hind femur near the apex, spines at the end of the hind tibia unequal in length and splayed, pocket at the basioposterior corner of the third discal cell of the anterior wing, labrum at least partially hidden (one exception in the nearctic region), short pronotum with depressed pronotal collar, and usually with three submarginal cells in the anterior wing. The dorsal edge of the hind tibia are always smooth in nearctic species.
Closely allied to Episyron and shares several similar characteristics: postnotum arcuately broadened on each side of the thorax, strong tarsal comb, and the anal vein of the posterior wing meeting the medial vein beyond the origin of the cubitus. However, they lack the scale-like pubescence on the first tergite and spines on the ventral side of the apical tarsal segments that Episyron always has.
Range
Transcontinental. Each species has a slightly more restricted distribution.
Habitat
Psammophilous. Found in places with scattered vegetation but always with sandy soil.
Season
Mid- to late summer in most of the country.
Food
Adults occasionally visit flowers. Females provision nest cavity with a single Araneid, Clubionid, Lycosid, Oxyopid, Salticid, or Thomisid spider.
Print References
Evans, H.E. 1951. A taxonomic study of the nearctic spider wasps belonging to the tribe pompilini, Part II. Trans. Amer. Entomol. Soc., 76: 207-361. (descriptions, keys, distribution)
Krombein, K.V. 1979. Pompilidae, pp. 1548-1549. 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. (species, prey records)
