Synonyms and other taxonomic changes
The one nearctic species has been classified under several scientific names including: Calicurgus hyalinatus, Caliadurgus fasciatellus, and Caliadurgus hyalinatus. Caliadurgus hyalinatus is actually considered the current valid name.
Numbers
1 species in the nearctic region. Subspecies have been described but have also been refuted so I will not include their names.
Identification
Characters of the subfamily pepsinae, tribe pepsini: 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, serrate hind tibia in both sexes (usually less pronounced in males), labrum at least partially exposed, crease on side of first tergite, sides of first tergite in dorsal view straight or slightly convex.
Separated from Priocnemis by the rather short pronotum (in comparison), straight rear edge of the subtriangular anal lobe, and the female possessing a short, stout, spine-like bristle on the outer apical corner of the foretibia.
Range
Transcontinental. Palearctic.
Habitat
Woods, woodland edges and openings.
Season
Late spring to early Autumn.
Food
Adults visit flowers. Females provision burrows with spiders of the family Araneidae.
Life Cycle
In most parts of the country there can be two to three generations per year. Females dig burrows in loose soil (unlike the superficially very similar Priocnemis).
Remarks
This species will cache prey by hanging it to twigs, grass etc. with the spider's own silk. This behavior is described in more detail by Kurczewski and Spofford (1985) (see below).
See Also
Structurally very similar to
PriocnemisPrint 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. 1532-1533. 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. (distriubtion, references, prey records)
Kurczewski, F.E. and M.G. Spofford. 1985. Observations on the nesting and unique cachement behavior of Calicurgus hyalinatus (Hymenoptera:Pompilidae). Great Lakes Entomol., 18: 41-44.
