Small Black Spider Wasp - Priocnemis cornica

they keep showing up in our house--what to do?

We have these showing up daily in our house. We haven't been stung and they don't seem to be aggressive but we have 4 small girls and don't want them to get hurt. Where do you think they are coming from and how do we get rid of them? Do they sting humans? We see them go in and out of our recessed lighting in the kitchen but we aren't sure if they have a hive in our attic or what. We have seen them in our kitchen and bathrooms. Please help.

… bhbetwin, 11 March, 2012 - 12:10pm

I agree...

There's not much else it could be. However, I believe that Dr. Buck made a suggestion to me a while ago that the females of P. cornica and P. kevini might not be separable in the female sex...to my knowledge the female of P. kevini has not yet been described. P. cornica is fairly common, so it's probably a good call, though.

… Nick Fensler, 30 August, 2008 - 8:11am

P. kevini

is a rare species in Ontario, P. cornica is very common. I believe it is safe to put it here.

… Matthias Buck, 30 August, 2008 - 1:04pm

I agree.

Although after re-reading my post it doesn't seem that I was stating that as clearly as I wanted to :)

… Nick Fensler, 30 August, 2008 - 3:33pm

Priocnemis cornica, female with prey (ON)

I believe it's P. cornica. Let's see what Nick says.

… Matthias Buck, 29 August, 2008 - 8:15am

Priocnemis cornica

Thank you Edward and Dr. Buck.
Naomi

… Naomi Smith, 29 August, 2008 - 5:32pm

pompilid

P. cornica is what i get after looking through Townes... the forewing does look evenly infuscate.

… edward trammel, 29 August, 2008 - 10:52am

pompilid

i think this is in the genus Priocnemis... you should wait to hear from Nick Fensler though. great pictures.

… edward trammel, 28 August, 2008 - 9:23pm