Cryptocheilus notatus is the largest species of spider wasps (Pompilidae) to be found in Great Britain reaching up to 18 mm 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, a large nocturnal ground spider from the Gnaphosidae.
Habitat Associated with woodland edges.Szczepko K, Kruk A & Bartos M, 2012 The role of mosaicity of the post-agriculture area of the Kampinos NationalPark in determining the diversity of species of spider wasps (Hymenoptera:Pompilidae) Eur. J. Entomol. 109: 35–46 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 west to Cornwall, with concentrations in Surrey and Hampshire. In Europe has been recorded in Spain, France, Belgium, Netherlands, Switzerland, Italy, Germany and Poland. It has also been found in Turkey,Anlas S., Wahis R. & Tezcan S. 2005 Some additional notes on Pompilidae (Hymenoptera) Fauna of Turkey, Turk. Entomol. Derg. 29(4) 255-258 east to IranEbrahimi, E., Schmid-Egger & Wahis R. 2008 New records of Pompilidae (Hymenoptera) from Iran Linzer biol. Beitr. 40(2) 1435-1442 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