Taxonomy
Ceropales maculata
Distribution
Status
Conservation status
Not Assessed
Species Biology
Identification
- Body length: 5-9mm
- Head primarily black with whiteish-yellow markings on the clypeus
- Thorax primarily black with a whiteish-yellow collar and scutellum
- Abdomen mainly black with whiteish-yellow markings
- Legs red in colour, antennae broad and black
- Could be confused with Episyron rufipes, but this species has fewer pale markings
Habitat
Mainly found on coastal dune systems, but also sandy brownfield sites inland.
Flight period
Univoltine, flying primarily between June-August. Occasionally found in late May- early September.
Nesting biology
A kleptoparasitic species, relying on other spider-hunting wasps as hosts. Females of this species will intercept the host females whilst the latter are carrying spider prey, causing the paralyzed spider to be dropped. She then quickly lays a single egg on the spider and quickly leaves. The host female returns to the spider and places it in a cell in her burrow as originally intended. The C. maculata larvae emerges and consumes the host egg, before feeding on the spider. Its recorded hosts in Ireland include Pompilus cinereus and Arachnospila anceps at coastal sites and Arachnospila anceps, Anoplius nigerrimus and Priocnemis species inland.
Flowers visited
Not known in Ireland but probably Wild Carrot.
Similar species
- Episyron rufipes (see above)
- Ichneumon wasps
Distribution
World distribution(GBIF)
Temporal change
Records submitted to Data Centre in 2025
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References
Publications
O’Hanlon, A. and O’Connor, J.P. 2021 The spider-hunting
wasps of Ireland (Hymenoptera: Pompilidae). A review of the species, their
natural history and recorded distribution. Biology and Environment: Proceedings
of the Royal Irish Academy