NESTING BIOLOGY OF THE SPIDER WASPS (HYMENOPTERA, POMPILIDAE) WHICH PREY ON BURROWING WOLF SPIDERS (ARANEAE, LYCOSIDAE, GEOLYCOSA)

Four species of pompilid wasps are known to prey on the burrowing wolf spiders, Geolycosa. Observations were made on the nesting biology of three species, Anoplius cylindricus, A. marginalis and Pompilus scelestus. The wasp species appear to form a continuum of habitat and prey selection types (tig. Q). A. cylindricus is restricted in habitat and is only known to prey on Geolycosa. A. marginalis occurs in a wider range of habitats and preys on Geolycosa and other lycosids. Both species of Anoplius modify the Geolycosa burrow to form a nest. P. scelestus has a wide range of habitat and prey types and when preying on Geolycosa moves the spider from its burrow to a separate nest site. © 1979 Taylor and Francis Ltd.