''Cryptocheilus notatus'' is the largest species of spider wasps ( Pompilidae) to be found in Great Britain reaching up to 18mm in length.

Biology

''Cryptocheilus notatus'' constructs multi-celled nests and they require quite substantial pre-existing cavities, the wasp does very little digging herself. Nesting sites have included mammal burrows, notably those of the European Mole (''Talpa europaea''), but it will utilise disused invertebrate nest sites, which it will expand. Prey recorded in Britain includes ''

Drassodes cupreus ''Drassodes cupreus'' is a species of spider in the genus ''Drassodes'', family Gnaphosidae. A ground-living nocturnal hunter, it spends the day in a silken retreat. Description Females are 10–18 mm, males 10–13 mm. The carapace (t ...

'', a large

nocturnal Nocturnality is an animal behavior characterized by being active during the night and sleeping during the day. The common adjective is "nocturnal", versus diurnal meaning the opposite. Nocturnal creatures generally have highly developed sens ...

ground spider from the Gnaphosidae.

Habitat

Associated with woodland edges. In Britain it is associated with warm lowland heaths.

Distribution

Europe and the Middle East. In Britain it is only found in the southern heathlands from

Kent Kent is a county in South East England and one of the home counties. It borders Greater London to the north-west, Surrey to the west and East Sussex to the south-west, and Essex to the north across the estuary of the River Thames; it faces ...

west to

Cornwall Cornwall (; kw, Kernow ) is a historic county and ceremonial county in South West England. It is recognised as one of the Celtic nations, and is the homeland of the Cornish people. Cornwall is bordered to the north and west by the Atlantic ...

, with concentrations in

Surrey Surrey () is a ceremonial and non-metropolitan county in South East England, bordering Greater London to the south west. Surrey has a large rural area, and several significant urban areas which form part of the Greater London Built-up Area. ...

and

Hampshire Hampshire (, ; abbreviated to Hants) is a ceremonial county, ceremonial and non-metropolitan county, non-metropolitan counties of England, county in western South East England on the coast of the English Channel. Home to two major English citi ...

. In Europe has been recorded in

Spain , image_flag = Bandera de España.svg , image_coat = Escudo de España (mazonado).svg , national_motto = ''Plus ultra'' (Latin)(English: "Further Beyond") , national_anthem = (English: "Royal March") , i ...

France France (), officially the French Republic ( ), is a country primarily located in Western Europe. It also comprises of Overseas France, overseas regions and territories in the Americas and the Atlantic Ocean, Atlantic, Pacific Ocean, Pac ...

Belgium Belgium, ; french: Belgique ; german: Belgien officially the Kingdom of Belgium, is a country in Northwestern Europe. The country is bordered by the Netherlands to the north, Germany to the east, Luxembourg to the southeast, France to th ...

Netherlands ) , anthem = ( en, "William of Nassau") , image_map = , map_caption = , subdivision_type = Sovereign state , subdivision_name = Kingdom of the Netherlands , established_title = Before independence , established_date = Spanish Netherl ...

Switzerland ). Swiss law does not designate a ''capital'' as such, but the federal parliament and government are installed in Bern, while other federal institutions, such as the federal courts, are in other cities (Bellinzona, Lausanne, Luzern, Neuchâtel ...

Italy Italy ( it, Italia ), officially the Italian Republic, ) or the Republic of Italy, is a country in Southern Europe. It is located in the middle of the Mediterranean Sea, and its territory largely coincides with the homonymous geographical re ...

Germany Germany,, officially the Federal Republic of Germany, is a country in Central Europe. It is the second most populous country in Europe after Russia, and the most populous member state of the European Union. Germany is situated betwe ...

and

Poland Poland, officially the Republic of Poland, is a country in Central Europe. It is divided into 16 administrative provinces called voivodeships, covering an area of . Poland has a population of over 38 million and is the fifth-most populous ...

. It has also been found in Turkey, east to Iran and Central Asia.Wolf H. 2004 Wegwespen (Hymenoptera, Pompilidae) des Oberösterreichischen Landesmuseums Linz (Austria) aus Zentralasien (II) ''Linzer biol. Beitr.'' 36/2 1139-1152

References

External links

Images representing ''Cryptocheilus notatus''
at Barcodes of Life Pepsinae Hymenoptera of Asia Hymenoptera of Europe Insects described in 1792 Taxa named by Pietro Rossi {{apocrita-stub