Synonyms and other taxonomic changes
Calopompilus Ashmead, 1900
=
Chirodamus Haliday, 1837 in part (see the
comment here from Nick Fensler on 1 July, 2006)
Numbers
4.
Calopompilus fortis: NY south to SC
5. Calopompilus heiligbrodtii: TX
6.
Calopompilus maculipennis: AK, AL, GA, KS, MI, MO, NC
7.
Calopompilus pyrrhomelas: BC; AZ, CA, ID, NM, NV, OR, UT
8.
Calopompilus validus: AL, FL, GA, NC, SC
Size
8-25 mm body length, females>males.
6-18 mm forewing length
(2)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.
Rather distinctive in the nearctic because of the following characters: rather short, stocky legs and antennae (second flagellar segment about 2.4X as long as wide, usually much longer in most other pepsines), short, flat
clypeus and the brush of hairs on the inner side of the hind
tibia is not interrupted or narrowed.
Overview of Species
Unlike similar genera, none of our
Calopompilus have orange antennae. Species follow the following trends based coloration:
(2)
A. Wings orange, legs and abdomen black
C. deceptus (male with secondary subapical black spot)
C. heiligbrodtii
C. pyrrhomelas
B. Wings black, abdomen red, legs also red in male
C. validiis
C. Wings black, legs and abdomen black
C. albopilosus (subhyaline wings in male)
C. feroculis
C. fortis
D. Wings black with orange spot, legs and abdomen black
C. macidipennis
Range
Transcontinental but individual species usually have much more restricted ranges.
Habitat
Varied. Several species strictly inhabit woods.
Season
Mid-to late summer to early autumn (mid-June through September/early October in eastern species). Most individuals that persist late into the year are females.
Food
Adults occasionally visit flowers. Prey is known for only one species, C. pyrrhomelas (Antrodiaetus pacificus).
Remarks
This genus is generally uncommon and rarely encountered. That is probably why so little is known about their biology. Prey and nesting behavior are not known for all but one species.
