The Essex Naturalist
61
SUBFAMILY MYRMOSINAE
Myrmosa atra Panzer
Larval hosts are unknown, but candidates are listed by Richards (1980) as being
Oxybelus uniglumis, Crabro peltarius, various Crossocerus species, Diodontus tristis,
D. minutus, Psen equestris, Halictus species and Panurgus calcaratus.
Recorded from Mill Wood Pit and East Tilbury Salt Lagoons, and also further
away at Foulness Point, Fingringhoe Wick (M Edwards), Fobbing Marsh,
Walton Naze and Crabknowe Spit. As with several other Essex aculeates this
pattern suggests under-recording; malaise trapping is likely to be a productive
sampling method.
MUTILLIDAE - THE VELVET ANTS
This is a very large family containing several thousands of tropical species. The
eggs are apparently laid on the mature larva or the pupa of the host and adults
are recorded attacking adult aculeates and feeding on their juices!
Mutilla europaea L. - Notable B
A parasite of the bumble bee genus Bombus, stinging the larva. This species is
interesting in that it hibernates as an adult and so can theoretically be found all
year around.
Scarce - three or four males on the wing and at bramble and Angelica flowers,
and one female curled in a curious manner round a young oak twig, St Osyth
(Harwood 1884). More recently we have records from five sites, at Forest Gate
(M Hanson), Grays Chalk Pit in 1984 (G Harris), Lion Creek in 1995 (P
Butler), Ferry Fields and East Tilbury Silt Lagoons.
Smicromyrme rufipes (Fabr.) - Notable B
Allegedly this species has two generations per year and is a parasite on various
Pompilidae, Sphecidae and bees of the genera Andrena, Halictus and Sphecodes.
We have records from three localities - at Mill Wood Pit, at Broom Hill (West
Tilbury) and at Linford Sand Pit all in the years since 1989.
VESPOIDEA
The Vespoidea are usually referred to as the "true" wasps, to distinguish them
from the digger wasps of other superfamilies and are represented in Britain by 32
species of which one, Polistes dominulus is now known only as a casual/vagrant
species. The well known social wasps are accommodated in the family Vespidae,
along with the hornet; the remaining species are solitary and are placed in the
family Eumenidae.
EUMENIDAE - SOLITARY WASPS
British Eumenid wasps all build their nests either in soil or with soil, usually
preferring damp clay. The species of Odynerus burrow into flat or vertical earth
and construct a characteristic "chimney" from wet clay, over the entrance hole.