Chalcochares hirsutifemur (Banks) (Hymenoptera: Pompilidae: Pompilinae), a probable obligate parasitoid of Aptostichus Simon (Araneae: Mygalomorphae: Euctenizidae) in California
Frank E. Kurczewski
1188 Converse Drive NE, Atlanta, GA 30324
Alice J. Abela
2390 Lake Marie Drive Santa Maria, CA 93455
Akira Shimizu
Department of Biological Science, Tokyo Metropolitan University, Minami-ohsawa 1-1, Hachioji, Tokyo, 192-0397, Japan
- Keywords
- Chalcochares engleharti, Aporus hirsutus, Aporus luxus, Aptostichus atomarius, Aptostichus simus, resource partitioning
Abstract
Size equivalence, seasonal synchronicity, geospatial sympatry, habitat specificity, and host-search¬ing behavior implicate the spider wasp Chalcochares hirsutifemur (Banks) (Hymenoptera: Pompilidae: Pompilinae) as an obligate parasitoid on species of the wafer-lid spider genus Aptostichus Simon (Araneae: Mygalomorphae: Euctenizidae) on coastal sandy back dunes in San Luis Obispo and Santa Barbara coun¬ties, CA. This is substantiated by 2010–2022 macrophotographs, videos, and field observations. Such host evidence supports recent unpublished phylogenomic studies that place Chalcochares as a sister genus of the spider wasp tribe Aporini, in which all species are known obligate parasitoids on trapdoor spiders and related Mygalomorphae. Chalcochares hirsutifemur and C. engleharti (Banks) are separated based on morphological, geographic, and probable host spider differences. Resource partitioning on the coastal sand dunes between C. hirsutifemur and three species of smaller Aporus Spinola is proposed.
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