Common Black Spider Wasp - Anoplius nigerrimus
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Species Description
Widespread and locally frequent throughout the UK. Habitat includes: Dry, sparsely vegetated places such as dry grassland, heathland, moorland, open woodland, wasteland etc. Length: Female = 6 - 9 mm, Male = 5 - 8 mm. Life story: Nesting occurs in a variety of situations including: under stones, hollow plant stems, deserted burrows, snail shells etc. but is also able to construct nests from scratch in sand or clay. The nest cells are stuffed with paralysed spiders from the families Lycosidae, Gnaphosidae and Pisauridae. Once filled the nest entrances are then plugged with earth, small stones and sometimes rabbit droppings. Flight period: May to September.