Priocnemis coriacea Dahlbom,1843
Description and notes
One of three large species of Priocnemis with plentiful erect hair on the face and propodeum (subgenus Umbripennis). P. coriacea is unpredictable in its occurrence. Identification characters are given in Day (1988).
Distribution
Widely distributed through southern and central England.
Scarce in central Europe, rare in northern and southern Europe (Wolf 1972).
Status (in Britain only)
Listed in Falk (1991) as Notable A.
Habitat
Associated with lighter soils, on downland and thinly wooded heathland.
Flight period
Univoltine; April to August, although Day (1988) records June as the latest date.
Prey collected
No prey recorded. However, it is probable that the wasps take larger species in the families Lycosidae and Gnaphosidae.
Nesting biology
Little is known about this but Priocnemis in general use existing cavities within which they may excavate several cells (Day 1988).
Flowers visited
Has been recorded at wood spurge, but may visit a wide range of plant species, as long as they have short corollae.
Parasites
No information available.
Year profile last updated
2002