Aposematic-habitat correlation in Nearctic species of Episyron Schiødte (Hymenoptera: Pompilidae: Pompilinae: Pompilini)

Abstract

Three Nearctic species of Episyron Schiødte (Hymenoptera: Pompilidae: Pompilinae: Pompilini) were examined morphologically, geographically, and ecologically with intent to infer an aposematic correlation with habitat type, protarsal digging rake morphology, and host spider association. Episyron quinquenotatus quinquenotatus (Say) and E. conterminus cressoni (Dewitz), two subspecies with extensive aposematic markings and more and longer protarsal comb spines, were associated with bare or sparsely vegetated sandy soils near water courses. Episyron biguttatus biguttatus (Fabricus), with few aposematic markings and less and shorter protarsal comb spines, was associated with more densely vegetated terrain and gravelly and loamy soils. Three subspecies of Anoplius apiculatus (Smith) (Hymenoptera: Pompilidae: Pompilinae: Pompilini) are discussed as an aposematic-habitat comparison.