Numbers
Monotypic in North America, Phanagenia bombycina.
Identification
Characters of the subfamily pepsinae, tribe ageniellini (nearctic only): spines at apex of hind tibia of even spacing and length, transverse groove in second sternite, lacks pocket in basioposterior corner of third discal cell, hind tibia usually smooth in both sexes, labrum at least partially exposed, this is the only agenielline with a crease on side of first tergite, sides of first tergite in dorsal view concave subbasally.
This genus (species) is very similar to Auplopus but differs on the following characters: bristle-like hairs on mentum are in one group (not divided into two groups as in Auplopus), with only sparse erect hair on the propodeum (not with long, abundant hairs as in Auplopus), concolorous black (some Auplopus are concolorous but can be separated by structure).
Range
Widespread. Found in the U.S. east of the Rockies and the southwest.
Habitat
Woods and woodland edges.
Season
Late spring (May) to early Autumn (September) in the northern parts of its range.
Food
Adults uncommonly visit flowers. Females provision nests with Lycosid and Agelenid spiders.
Life Cycle
Females build mud nests as in Auplopus. There is probably more than one generation per year.
Print References
Townes, H.K. 1957. Nearctic wasps of the subfamilies pepsinae and ceropalinae. U.S. Nat. Mus. Bull. 209: 1-286. (description, distribution, keys)
Krombein, K.V. 1979. Pompilidae, pp. 1523-1571. 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).
