Priocnemis coriacea
Priocnemis coriacea is a large species of pepsid spider wasp characterised by having plentiful erect hair on the face and propodeum. It is a member of the subgenus Umbripennis.
| Priocnemis coriacea | |
|---|---|
Scientific classification  | |
| Kingdom: | Animalia |
| Phylum: | Arthropoda |
| Class: | Insecta |
| Order: | Hymenoptera |
| Family: | Pompilidae |
| Genus: | Priocnemis |
| Species: | P. coriacea |
| Binomial name | |
| Priocnemis coriacea Dahlbom, 1843 | |
| Synonyms [1] | |
|
Priocnemis medoca | |
Distribution
P. coriacea is an uncommon species which is scarce in central Europe, rare in northern and southern Europe.[2] In Great Britain it is widely distributed through southern and central England.[3]
Habitat
P. coriacea shows a preference for light soils in open habitats such as downland and thinly wooded heathland.[3]
Biology
In Great Britain the flight period is April to August, although it has been stated that June may be the latest date.[3]
No prey items have been recorded, but it is likely that P. coriacea takes larger species of the families Lycosidae and Gnaphosidae.[2] Its nesting biology is largely unknown but members of Priocnemis generally use pre-existing cavities and then excavate a number of cells within them. The only flower which P. coriacea has been recorded feeding on is wood spurge, but it may visit a wide range of flowers, so long as they have short corollas.[3]