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Priocnemis coriacea

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Priocnemis coriacea
Scientific classification Edit this classification
Domain: Eukaryota
Kingdom: Animalia
Phylum: Arthropoda
Class: Insecta
Order: Hymenoptera
Family: Pompilidae
Genus: Priocnemis
Species:
P. coriacea
Binomial name
Priocnemis coriacea
Dahlbom, 1843
Synonyms [1]

Priocnemis medoca

Priocnemis coriacea is a large species of pepsine spider wasp characterised by having plentiful erect hair on the face and propodeum. It is a member of the subgenus Umbripennis.

Distribution

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P. coriacea is an uncommon species which is scarce in central Europe, rare in northern and southern Europe.[2] In Great Britain it is widely distributed through southern and central England.[3]

Habitat

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P. coriacea shows a preference for light soils in open habitats such as downland and thinly wooded heathland.[3]

Biology

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In Great Britain the flight period is April to August, although it has been stated that June may be the latest date.[3]

No prey items have been recorded, but it is likely that P. coriacea takes larger species of the families Lycosidae and Gnaphosidae.[2] Its nesting biology is largely unknown but members of Priocnemis generally use pre-existing cavities and then excavate a number of cells within them. The only flower which P. coriacea has been recorded feeding on is wood spurge, but it may visit a wide range of flowers, so long as they have short corollas.[3]

References

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  1. ^ a b "Priocnemis coriacea - Dahlbom, 1843".
  2. ^ a b c "Priocnemis coriacea Dahlbom,1843 | BWARS".
  3. ^ a b c d e Edwards R. & Telfer M. (eds), 2002, Provisional Atlas for the aculeate Hymenoptera of Britain and Ireland Part 4, NERC ISBN 1 870393 65 1