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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Authors

Nel, Ernst
Kelly, Janine
Dippenaar-Schoeman, Anna S. (Anna Sophia), 1948-

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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.

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Keywords

Spider, Wasp, Chalybion spinolae (Hymenoptera: Sphecidae), Latrodectus (Araneae: Theridiidae), South Africa (SA)

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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.