Notes on the biology of the wasp, Chalybion spinolae (Hymenoptera: Sphecidae), an obligatory predator of Latrodectus (Araneae: Theridiidae) spiders in South Africa

Abstract

Some aspects of the biology of the wasp Chalybion spinolae are documented. This includes behaviour relating to life cycles, nesting, mating, oviposition and prey interaction of this wasp. The physical appearance of the wasps and their prey are described and some measurements are given. The prey of C. spinolae are two species of spiders, Latrodectus indistinctus and Latrodectus geometricus (Araneae: Theridiidae). The observations spanned a period of 5 years, and involved approximately 200 wasp nests. This study serves to provide more observational information about the biology of the wasp and its predatory behaviour.

Keywords:

• Chalybion
• Latrodectus
• Sphecidae
• Theridiidae
• spider
• wasp

Acknowledgements

A word of sincere thanks to Mr Frans Louw (previous owner of the farm Joostenbergkloof, Durbanville), Mr Tiedt (Department of Histopathology), Prof. G Louw (Zoology Department, University of Cape Town), Prof. van Jaarsveld (Department of Pharmacology, Stellenbosch University), Dr Gerbus Muller (Department of Pharmacology, Stellenbosch University), Mr Groenewald (Audio-Visual Department of the Medical School), The Department of Didactics for the fine diagrams and Dr AJ Prins (Previously of South African Museum)