Analysis of potential host spider(s) of Pepsis elegans Lepeletier (Hymenoptera: Pompilidae: Pepsinae: Pepsini)

Abstract

Five families of spiders (Araneae: Araneomorphae, Mygalomorphae) are reviewed and analyzed as potential hosts of Pepsis elegans Lepeletier (Hymenoptera: Pompilidae: Pepsinae: Pepsini). Lycosidae and Atypidae were the least likely host families, afer analysis, with Euctenizidae, Antrodiaetidae, and Halonproctidae as more likely host families. Species of Ummidia Torell (Halonoproctidae) and Eucteniza relata (O. P.-Cambridge) (Euctenizidae) were the most likely host genera and species of P. elegans based on mygalomorph relationship, equivalent size, and morphological, geographical, ecological, and biological attributes. Smaller sized genera and species of Euctenizidae and Antrodiaetus Ausserer (Antrodiaetidae) were less likely host possibilities.

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