Notes on the biology of the wasp, Chalybion spinolae (Hymenoptera: Sphecidae), an obligatory predator of Latrodectus (Araneae : Theridiidae) spiders in South Africa
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Date
Authors
Nel, Ernst
Kelly, Janine
Dippenaar-Schoeman, Anna S. (Anna Sophia), 1948-
Journal Title
Journal ISSN
Volume Title
Publisher
Taylor and Francis
Abstract
Some aspects of the biology of the wasp Chalybion spinolae are documented. This includes
behaviour relating to life cycles, nesting, mating, oviposition and prey interaction of this
wasp. The physical appearance of the wasps and their prey are described and some
measurements are given. The prey of C. spinolae are two species of spiders, Latrodectus
indistinctus and Latrodectus geometricus (Araneae: Theridiidae). The observations spanned
a period of 5 years, and involved approximately 200 wasp nests. This study serves to
provide more observational information about the biology of the wasp and its predatory
behaviour.
Description
Keywords
Spider, Wasp, Chalybion spinolae (Hymenoptera: Sphecidae), Latrodectus (Araneae: Theridiidae), South Africa (SA)
Sustainable Development Goals
Citation
Ernst Nel, Janine Kelly & Anna Dippenaar-Schoeman (2014) Notes on the
biology of the wasp, Chalybion spinolae (Hymenoptera: Sphecidae), an obligatory predator of
Latrodectus (Araneae: Theridiidae) spiders in South Africa, Journal of Natural History, 48:25-26,
1585-1593, DOI: 10.1080/00222933.2013.877993.