Priocnemis susterai Haupt,1927
Description and notes
Another of the three large species of Priocnemis with plentiful erect hair on the face and propodeum (subgenus Umbripennis. P. susterai may occur anywhere among the much more frequently found P. perturbator. Identification is given by Day (1988).
Distribution
Widely distributed through southern and central England, and north to north-east Yorkshire. Also occurs in two areas of Wales.
Widespread in central and western Europe (Wolf 1972).
Status (in Britain only)
This species is not regarded as being scarce or threatened.
Habitat
Most often associated with open woodland, as long as the soil is not waterlogged.
Flight period
Univoltine; April to August.
Prey collected
None known, but it is probable that prey are large spiders in the families Lycosidae and Gnaphosidae. Confusion with P. perturbator (both species were known as P fuscus in the earlier literature) means that historic prey records cannot be assigned with certainty.
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 open corollae.
Parasites
No information available.
Year profile last updated
2002