The Essex Naturalist
57
Listed for the Colchester area by Harwood (1884) without further detail. M
Edwards recorded this species at Rowhedge on 13th July 1986; other records we
have are from Broom Hill (West Tilbury), Ferry Fields, Mill Wood Pit and
Heydon.
Pompilus cinereus (Fabr.)
Constructs its own nest cavity by digging in loose sandy ground and preys on
spiders of the Lycosidae, and sometimes Clubionidae, Thomisidae and
Pisauridae.
Listed for the Colchester area by Harwood (1884) without further detail. Recent
records centre on two foci: in North Essex at Colne Point, Crabknowe Spit,
Horsey Island and West Mersea; in South Essex at Broom Hill (West Tilbury)
and East Tilbury. It is undoubtedly awaiting discovery at least at some sites in
between.
Episyron rufipes (L.)
A species of open sandy areas, especially coastal sand dunes. Usually preys on
Araneidae but sometimes on Lycosidae. The prey is temporarily stored on plants
whilst the burrow is excavated in the ground.
Recorded from eight separate localities, affecting six ten-kilometre squares, at
Colne Point, Crabknowe Spit, West Mersea, Chigborough Lakes, Burnham-on-
Crouch, Broom Hill (West Tilbury) and Dolphin Quarry Purfleet.
Anoplius (Arachnophroctonus) infuscatus (Van der Linden)
A species of sandy areas, preying on Lycosidae, Agelenidae and Thomisidae,
hanging the spiders on plants during excavation of the nest chamber.
Like other pompilids, this is probably a very under-recorded species. Records we
have to hand are from West Mersea, Colne Point, Crabknowe Spit and East
Tilbury.
A. (Arachnophroctonus) viaticus (L.)
= fuscus (L.)
Females of this species overwinter but unlike Priocnemis species can also be
found through until September. Males are mature in June to August. Prey is
largely Lycosidae, Gnaphosidae and Agelenidae hut also may include
Thomisidae and Salticidae.
Listed for the Colchester area (as Priocnemis fuscus L.) by Harwood (1884)
without further detail.
Arachnospila (Anoplochares) spissa (Schiodte)
Otten found in woodland and other well vegetated habitats. It attacks Lycosid
spiders in their nest burrow, and the larvae is thought to be ectoparasitic,
leaving the prey in situ.
Listed for the Colchester area by Harwood (1884) without further detail. We
have a single recent record, from Mucking Heath in 1990.