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University of Tennessee Biological Field Station
August 8-10, 2008
 
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Photo#66801
6007845 Pompilid Episyon sp? - Anoplius - female

6007845 Pompilid Episyon sp? - Anoplius - Female
McLaughry Springs FP, Illinois, USA
June 30, 2006
Size: ~5/8"

Not Episyron
There are some all-black Episyron, but prey rules that genus out if my spider ID is correct. This looks like a Lycosid or Agelenid or other similar spider (you'd think I would know spiders better, since my specialty group preys upon them). Episyron preys only on Araneid spiders. Also, I saved and enlarged the photo and there was a strong impression of stiff pygidial bristles (not clear, but visible). I suggest this image be moved to the Anoplius genus page. It is not identifiable to species.

 
Spider prey.
The prey is definitely a lycosid of some sort.

 
One other thing...
I noticed that the spider is missing a leg. I was wondering if this photograph was the exact moment you saw it or did you have a chance to observe it for a few moments? A few species of Anoplius have been known to chew at body parts or sever legs and drink the exuding haemolymph (i.e. A. relativus, which this wasp very closely resembles).

 
I made an error in putting Ep
I made an error in putting Episyron. I have 2 of those with the stripes, and I meant Anoplius, so I agree.

I found the spider on the rock. I noticed that it was not dried up dead, and surmised that it was might be paralyzed. I set up and waited as I saw an Anoplius wandering around. Several times it came within a couple of inches of the spider but never touched. Then it started digging in the bank of the stream where this occurred. It just kept digging and I was in a very uncomfortable position on the edge of the bank. While that wasp was digging another Anoplius came along and approached the spider and I shot it, but I gave up as it wandered away also, and I felt I'd spent enough time. If I hadn't had a whole series of one dragging a spider a few weeks before, I might have been more patient, but about 45 minutes in this cramped waiting position was enough that day, and I continued shooting other things.

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