Nest and Prey of \u3ci\u3eAgeniella (Leucophrus) Fulgifrons\u3c/i\u3e (Hymenoptera: Pompilidae)

Information on the habitat, nest-site, hunting, prey transport, closure, burrow structure, and prey of Ageniella (Leucophrus) fulgifrons is presented. Components of the nesting behaviors of other species of Ageniella are examined and compared with those of A. fulgifrons

New Prey Families for \u3ci\u3eCrabro Advena\u3c/i\u3e (Hymenoptera: Sphecidae)

Three new prey families of adult Diptera are presented for Crabro advena, bringing to 14 the total number of fly families captured by this euryphagous wasp. The variety of prey flies used as provisions by this species is probably related to its varied nesting habitat

First Record of \u3ci\u3eTachysphex Pechumani\u3c/i\u3e (Hymenoptera: Sphecidae) From Indiana

A nesting population of Tachysphex pechumani is recorded from near Indiana Dunes National Lakeshore, Porter County, Indiana. This record is a western extension of the known range of this uncommon species. Nesting biology of T. pechumani at this locality was similar to previously published observations on this species

Northern Distribution Records for Some Nearctic Pompilidae (Hymenoptera)

Distributional records and nomenclatural changes are presented for 20 species of Nearctic Pompilidae. The records extend the species\u27 ranges northward in North America, are peripheral on the northern boundaries of the ranges, or fill in sizeable gaps in the distributions. Flower records, habitat notes, and remarks on the prey are given for some of the species

Observations on the Nesting Behavior of \u3ci\u3eAuplopus Caerulescens Subcorticalis\u3c/i\u3e and Other Auplopodini (Hymenoptera: Pompilidae)

Nest searching and mud and prey transport behavior in a small aggregation of Auplopus caerulescens subcorticalis nesting in a concrete cellar foundation in upstate New York are delineated. The contents of nine cells of this subspecies are identified, the mud cells and wasps\u27 eggs are described and measured and the site of the egg attachment on the spider is defined. Selectivity in prey capture at the family level by certain females was indicated, with Thomisidae reported as a new prey family. The method of prey transport and a new prey family (Clubionidae) for Auplopus mellipes variitarsatus are given. Two prey records for Ageniella fulgifrons are included

Ecology, Mating and Nesting of \u3ci\u3eTachypompilus Ferrugineus Nigrescens\u3c/i\u3e (Hymenoptera: Pompilidae)

An aggregation of Tachypompilus Jerrugineus nigrescens was studied during mid­ summer 1988 in Syracuse, NY. Wasp activity was focused on a 2 m high cemetery monument near a gravelly roadway. Males perched on thc stone, chased one another and pursued incoming females in flight. Details of mating are described. Both sexes spent the night and periods of inclement weather inside a narrow crevice near the base of the monument. Females flew around the monument, landed frequently and made exploratory walks inside of the crevice. They were observed searching for prey and transporting paralyzed spiders backward on the ground. Seven conical or concave depressions (cells) were located inside of the crevice in loosened soil, powdered mortar and debris. A paralyzed spider was positioned in each depression, ventral side up, and a wasp\u27s egg was affixed laterally to the base of the prey\u27s abdomen. Prey spiders comprised moderately large Lycosa helluo and L. rabida (Lycosidae). Closure of the nest is described

Additional Observations on \u3ci\u3eTachypompilus Ferrugineus\u3c/i\u3e With Emphasis on Male Behavior (Hymenoptera: Pompilidae)

An aggregation of 11 males and 5 females of Tachypompilus ferrugineus was studied during August and September 1989 at a 2 m-high cemetery monument i Syracuse, NY. Male perching behavior and male-male and male-female interactions are described. Male-male interactions included acceptance, perching in close proximity, wing fanning, circling, following, and flight chases. Overt territoriality was not demonstrated by individual males, although several wasps each maintained a few or several stations. Despite noticeable size variation among wasps, there was no dominant-subordinate hierarchy. Male attachment to the cemetery monument waned as the season progressed due to mortality, increased floral feeding, and decreased female receptivity. Several males often simultaneously pursued an incoming female in an attempt to mate and such males exhibited extensive wing fanning and antennal waving

Burrow Construction From the Ground Surface in \u3ci\u3eLyroda Subita\u3c/i\u3e (Hymenoptera: Sphecidae)

Plasticity in the nesting behavior of Lyroda subita, a species that renovates and then uses pre-existing burrows and other subterranean cavities for nesting sites, is illustrated by one female which apparently excavated her burrow from the ground surface. Details of burrow construction are described. Information on nest structure and dimensions and cell contents is presented

Late Summer-Fall Solitary Wasp Fauna of Central New York (Hymenoptera: Tiphiidae, Pompilidae, Sphecidae)

Eighty-one species of primarily ground-nesting solitary wasps belonging to the families Tiphiidae, Pompilidae and Sphecidae were observed, collected and identified from six sandy and gravelly study areas in Cayuga and Onondaga Counties, New York. The observations and collections were made 1 September-3 November 1966,1 September-l November 1967 and 13 September-29 October 1984, with some species (Ammophila urnaria, Diodontus franclemonti) nesting through the entire months of September and October. An attempt to associate extended flight season with overnight resting site, geographic distribution, taxonomic affinity and prey type is made, but only the association with prey type appears to have any validity

Further Observations on the Nesting Behavior of \u3ci\u3eLiris Argentatus\u3c/i\u3e (Hymenoptera: Sphecidae)

A three-celled nest of Liris argentatus was excavated and examined in upstate New York. The nest was constructed from the terminus of an abandoned cicada-killer burrow and the cells contained 1-4 incompletely paralyzed Gryllus pennsylvanicus as prey. Two of the three cells were cleptoparasitized by the satellite fly Senotainia trilineata. The components of the ecology and behavior of L. argentatus we observed are compared with those from previous studies on this species