Entypus unifasciatus explained

Entypus unifasciatus is a species of spider wasp in the family Pompilidae.^[1]

Description

Theses spider wasps are black with a bluish sheen, yellow antennae, and usually have a single diffuse amber band or patch near the tip of dark, smoky wings.^[2]

Range

Essentially transcontinental North America, except in the northwest.^{[3] [4]}

Ecology

Female wasps paralyze large spiders and deposit them in burrows. The wasp lays a fertilized egg upon the spider; after hatching, the larva feeds on the living but paralyzed spider until maturing into a pupa that overwinters, and emerges as a winged adult next summer.^[5]

Taxonomy

Entypus unifasciatus contains the following subspecies:

• Entypus unifasciatus cressoni
• Entypus unifasciatus dumosus
• Entypus unifasciatus californicus
• Entypus unifasciatus unifasciatus

Notes and References

1. Web site: Entypus unifasciatus . iNaturalist.
2. Web site: ENTYPUS SPIDER WASPS Entypus aratus, E. unifasciatus, E. fulvicornis, and others. Missouri Department of Conservation.
3. Web site: Species Entypus unifasciatus. BugGuide. Dec 11, 2020.
4. Web site: Spider Wasp (Entypus) (Enytpus unifasciatus). Aug 23, 2019. InsectIdentification.org.
5. Web site: Taulman. James. WILD THINGS: SPIDER WASP (ENTYPUS UNIFASCIATUS). Jun 19, 2020. The Independent.