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Pepsinae

The Pepsinae are a subfamily of the spider wasp family, Pompilidae, including the two genera of large tarantula hawks, as well as many genera of smaller species.

Biology

A female spider wasp generally captures and stings a spider to paralise it; this is for their larvae to feed on. However, the wasps of this subfamily display a range of nesting behaviours:

  • using preexisting cavities;
  • using the immobilised spider's burrow;
  • digging a burrow in soil;
  • building nests of mud;
  • parasitoids; and
  • kleptoparasites.

Taxonomy

Pepsinae can be defined by:

  • sternite 2 with a distinct transverse groove;
  • mesofemur and metafemur without subapical spine-like setae set in grooves or pits;
  • the metatibia with apical spine-like setae of uniform length, the setae not splayed; and
  • vein Cu1 of fore wing is simple at its base, without any definite downward deflection, i.e. the second discal cell (2D) is without a ‘pocket’.

The subfamily Pepsinae comprises 84 genera. These include 16 genera of Ageniellini, 7 genera of Deuterageniini, 48 genera of Pepsini, 11 genera of Priocnemini, 1 genus of Psoropempulini, and 1 genus unplaced to tribe.

Tribe Ageniellini

Tribe Deuterageniini

Tribe Pepsini

Tribe Priocnemini

Tribe Psoropempulini

Incertae sedis

References