Numbers
6 spp. in our area:
1. Priocnessus apache: southwestern (AZ, TX)
2. Priocnessus coloradensis: western (CO, TX)
3. Priocnessus dakota: eastern (CT & NY south to GA, WV, & KS; "Dakota")
4. Priocnessus nebulosus: eastern (ON; east coast to 100°W)
5. Priocnessus nigricans: southwestern (sw. AZ)
6. Priocnessus nuperus: eastern (NY south to GA, KS, & TX)
Size
12-25 mm, dimorphism not quite as marked in this genus as in many other pompilid genera.
Identification
Overview of Genus
Fairly easily distinguished from other pepsines in the nearctic region:
Cubital vein of anterior wing usually reaching the wing margin.
Posterior wing with anal vein meeting medial vein at or distal the origin of the cubitus.
Clypeus very large and convex.
Overview of Species
P. apache: Body red, wings subhyaline with 3 dark bands
P. coloradensis: Body red, wings black, female with no bristles on tarsomere 5, western range
P. dakota: Body black, flagellum orange, wings subhyaline to black
P. nebulosus: Body black, flagellum black, wings subhyaline to black
P. nigricans: Body black, flagellum orange, wings orange
P. nuperus: Body red, wings black, female with 3-10 bristles on tarsomere 5, eastern range
Range
Transcontinental as a genus. Three species are restricted to the west (P. apache, P. coloradensis, and P. nigricans). Three species are fairly widespread (P. dakota, P. nebulosus, and P. nuperus)
Habitat
Varied, from open woods and woodland edges to semi-arid grasslands, etc.
Season
In the north this genus is found mid-summer to early autumn (approximately June to September). They have a longer flight period in the south.
Food
They apparently rarely visit flowers. They provision nests with Agelenid spiders.
Life Cycle
One generation per year in northern states.
See Also
Most similar to other large pepsine genera: Entypus and Cryptocheilus. Priocnemis minorata and Priocnessus nebulosus are superficially similar but date is usually sufficient to separate them.
Print References
Townes, H.K. 1957. Nearctic wasps of the subfamilies pepsinae and ceropalinae. U.S. Nat. Mus. Bull. 209: 1-286. (descriptions, distribution, keys) (
Relevant Section)
Krombein, K.V. 1979. Pompilidae, pp. 1527-1528. 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.
