Systematics of australian agenioideus ashmead (hymenoptera: Pompilidae) with the first record of a spider wasp parasitizing latrodectus hasselti thorell (redback spider)

Abstract

The Australian members of the spider wasp genus Agenioideus are revised, and its two constituent species, Agenioideus expulsus Turner and A.nigricornis (Fabricius), are redescribed. A third species, Agenioideus ultimus (Turner), is transferred to Spuridiophorus Arnold, a genus that is newly recorded here from the Australian continent. Diagnoses and criteria to facilitate the identification of the two genera are provided, along with information on the distribution and host biology of Agenioideus species. The first records of a pompilid utilising Latrodectus hasselti Thorell (redback spider) as a host at multiple locations across southern Australia are presented, along with a brief synopsis of insect parasitoids and predators of L.hasselti in Australia. © 2011 Australian Entomological Society.