Aridestus bergi (Holmberg)

Kurczewski, Frank E., West, Rick C. & Waichert, Cecilia, 2024, New host records for Nearctic and Neotropical spider wasps (Hymenoptera: Pompilidae), Insecta Mundi 2024 (34), pp. 1-32 : 16

? Aridestus bergi (Holmberg)

BRAZIL: Mato Grosso State, Nova Ubiratã; 16 November 2021; A. G. Medina. Host: Unidentified species ( Theraphosidae , Theraphosinae ), immature. The wasp dragged the paralyzed immature tarantula backwards on the ground, left side upward, grasping the base of its rear leg with her mandibles ( Fig. 6 ; Medina 2021).

Unidentified theraphosine tarantula is the first host record and new host family and subfamily for the tropical genus Aridestus Banks.

Figures

Figures 1–6. Pompilid species with host spiders. 1) Calopompilus pyrrhomelas (Walker) with Eucteniza?panchovillai Bond and Godwin (Euctenizidae), adult female. © Miguee Sykes. 2) Pepsis cassiope Mocsáry with Ancylometes bogotensis (Keyserling) (Ctenidae), adult or subadult female. © Hilde Vandevoorde. 3) Priocnessus nuperus (Cresson) with Rabidosa punctulata (Hentz) (Lycosidae), adult or subadult female. © Rachel Miller. 4) Auplopus comparatus (Smith) with Macrinus sp. (Sparassidae). © Christian Marty. 5) Ageniella (Ageniella) cupida (Cresson) species-group with Coras sp. (Agelenidae), penultimate male. © Herschel Raney. 6)?Aridestus bergi (Holmberg) with unidentified host species (Theraphosidae, Theraphosinae), immature.© Antonino Gonçalves Medina.