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Home » Guide » Arthropods (Arthropoda) » Hexapods (Hexapoda) » Insects (Insecta) » Ants, Bees, Wasps and Sawflies (Hymenoptera) » Aculeata - Ants, Bees and Stinging Wasps » Spider Wasps, Velvet Ants and allies (Pompiloidea) » Spider Wasps (Pompilidae) » Pompilinae » Pompilini » Blue-black Spider Wasps (Anoplius)
Photo#50582
Black Spider Hunter - Anoplius
Copyright © 2006 Lynette Elliott

Black Spider Hunter - Anoplius
Fort Bragg, Cumberland County, North Carolina, USA
May 4, 2006
Size: about 12 mm
Priocnemis minorata?

This wasp swooped into one of my planters and flew out with this spider. It dropped the spider on top of the planter and flew off. It flew around a little more....seemed to be searching for more spiders? It returned to this one and carried it about another 2 feet and set it down again. The wasp flew around for a few more minutes and then came back and checked on the spider again, but then continued to fly around. I came inside because I was getting too many mosquito bites, but I've checked and now both spider and wasp are gone.

Images of this individual: tag all
Black Spider Hunter - Anoplius Black Spider Hunter - Anoplius
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Contributed by Lynette Elliott on 4 May, 2006 - 3:56pm
Last updated 18 July, 2008 - 2:57pm

Anoplius agreement
Again, a little late but I still think it would be fun to comment on the bug. I agree with Mr. Eaton about being a species of Anoplius and the vernal P. minorata would have VERY noticeable serrations. Even in North Carolina 4 May is pretty early for a spider wasp. This is just conjecture but I suggest a species that has an early generation (Anoplius virginiensis) or one in which females commonly overwinter (Anoplius tenebrosus). Without a specimen in hand thats the best I can do.
… Nick Fensler, 1 July, 2006 - 7:36pm login or register to post comments

 
I don't have any answers
but I just want to say that we had a very mild winter and a very early warm spring in case that factors into this.
… Lynette Elliott, 1 July, 2006 - 8:13pm login or register to post comments

Anoplius sp!
This appears to be one of the smaller Anoplius species. Were this not such an incredibly detailed shot, I would not have been able to tell. The lack of teeth on the dorsal surface of the hind tibia rules out Priocnemis (in which the teeth are often very pronounced). Knowing the surrounding habitat may help narrow down the potential species, as Anoplius tend to partition their niches to avoid competition.
… Eric R. Eaton, 5 May, 2006 - 3:28pm login or register to post comments

 
surrounding habitat
What info are you looking for?
… Lynette Elliott, 5 May, 2006 - 4:00pm login or register to post comments

 
online video
solitary wasp video (including this genus) at:

http://www.rkwalton.com/wasps.html
… Dick Walton, 4 July, 2007 - 11:49pm login or register to post comments

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