Overview
Pompilids (spider wasps) are
predatory
wasps that are often referred to a 'spider wasps' because of their obligate use of spiders as food for their developing larva. They are common in coastal and arid habitats where they paralyse a single spider and either oviposit on it in the spider's burrow or remove the spider to their own previously constructed burrow. The spider remains immobile and is consumed by the wasp larva. Pompilids are rarely prey-specific but many specialise in collecting web-building species versus flower spiders, ground-hunting species or tunnelling spiders. One genus,
Epipompilus
, feeds on spider eggs.
Description
The Pompilidae are represented in Australia by about 260 described species with at least this number yet to be recognised; the New Zealand fauna is limited to only 11 species. Varying in size from small (3 mm) to large (35 mm) wasps, pompilids are characterised by a straight transverse suture (groove) that divides the mesopleuron, the legs long and agile, and the fore wing not folded longitudinally at rest. In addition, many species have bright or contrasting colour patterns with black and orange, or black, white and grey markings. These colours are indicative of mimicry patterns that also involve other families of Hymenoptera.
Distribution
Taxonomically, this is a very difficult group and although some genera have been revised, there is no available guide to the Australian fauna. Harris (1987) treated the New Zealand species in detail and Harris (1987) and Day (1988) provide comprehensive reviews of biology and other aspects of the group.
Further information about the Pompilidae can be found in Brothers & Finnamore 1993, Day 1988, Harris 1987, Naumann 1991 and Pitts, Wasbauer & von Dohlen 2006.