Anoplius americanus
SPIDER WASP FAMILY (Pompilidae)

Description
This spider wasp is approximately 3/4 inch or 20 mm in length. It is entirely black except for bright orange spots on the 2nd and 3rd tergites on the abdomen. According to BugGuide, the pattern of the spots which are “partially interrupted medially” are distinctive for this species (photo C). Another similar spider wasp, Anoplius semicinctus, has one orange spot on tergite 3. This wasp was identified with the help of volunteer experts at the BugGuide website.

Occurrence
The frequency of occurrence is not known. It has been photographed once in Fontenelle Forest in late September. They may be found from late spring to early autumn.

Comments
There are 48 species in the genus Anoplius in North America. Females provision the nest with wolf spiders and funnel-web spiders, although many are generalists and will take any common spider.

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