Ceropales Latreille
Ceropales Latreille
Identification: The hypoygium (S6) is strongly laterally compressed, eyes reniform, labrum fully exposed, spines at the apex of the hind tibia of approximate equal size and spacing (although sometimes the row is interrupted in females), and the basioposterior corner of the third discal cell lacks a "pocket". These species range from rather small to moderate size. They are often marked with rufous, yellow, or white.
Distribution: This genus is widespread throughout the United States and southern Canada.
Biology: These species are social parasites of other Pompilids. In species in which the biology is known, they apparently lay an egg on an already paralyzed spider of another female Pompilid while the spider is left unattended during nest construction or during transport. After the nest is provisioned the Ceropales egg hatches first, devouring the host egg or larva and then the spider (Krombein et al, 1979).
Numbers: There are 14 species in this genus fitting into four species-groups; there are, however, no recognized subgenera. Eight species are found in Ohio, as indicated below.
IV. Key to the Species of Ceropales Latreille of Northeastern North America
(Keys modified from Townes, 1957)
1A a. Both middle tarsal claws and outer claw of anterior tarsus dentate, the teeth short and erect -OR-:
b. in males of the fulvipes species-group these claws are specialized and unlike one another: triangular, appressed and lobe-like in the inner tarsi and inner claw of the middle tarsi; large erect and triangular in the outer claw of the middle tarsus -AND- the second tarsomere is NOT distinctly longer than wide -BUT- tarsomeres two through four of the anterior and middle tarsi are very short -AND- the apical segment of the anterior tarsi are expanded on the inner side.........................................2
1B a. Both middle tarsal claws and posterior claw of anterior tarsus bifid, the tooth obliquely truncate.
b. Second tarsomere of middle tarsus distinctly longer than wide; tarsi of males not specialized as above.............................3
2A a. Frons dull, with dense small punctures but without noticeable large punctures.
b. Male with second to fourth tarsomeres of anterior and middle tarsi not unusually short, second tarsomere of middle tarsus about 2.0X as long as wide.
c. Claws of middle tarsi of male symmetric, unspecialized.
d. Hind femur dark (occasionally with a fulvous tinge) with the apex yellow.......................................maculata fraterna Smith
2B a. Frons subshining, with both minute punctures and scattered larger ones.
b. Males with second to fourth tarsomeres of anterior and middle tarsi unusually short, about as long as wide.
c. Claws of middle tarsi assymetric, specialized as in 1A.b.
d. Hind femur fulvous (fulvipes species-group):
i. Larger punctures of frons of moderate size, separated from each other by 2.0X their diameter.
ii. Larger punctures of mesoscutum separated by 0.7 their diameter.
iii. Posterior coxae of male with an internal overhanging ridge on its basal half.
iv. SGP of male triangular in profile.
v. Anterior and middle femora rufous with yellow markings.
vi. Labrum of female entirely or mostly yellow......................................................................................brevicornis Patton
3A a. Mesoscutum and top of pronotum with short, inconspicuous hairs.
b. Second flagellomere 1.8-2.2X as long as thick.
c. S6 of female in profile with a projecting apical portion, the apex of which is evenly rounded.
d. Larger species, generally 10-20 mm (+/-) (robinsonii species-group)...................................................................................4
3B a. Mesoscutum and top of pronotum with long, conspicuous, reclined hairs.
b. Antennae slightly shorter, second flagellomere 1.2-1.6X as long as thick.
c. S6 of female in profile rather triangular, with a pointed apex.
d. Small species, generally 4-10 mm (+/-) (femoralis species-group)........................................................................................7
4A a. Mesopleuron impunctate.
b. Abdomen red with little or no yellow markings, flagellum blackish.
c. Wings subhyaline to dark brown...........................................................................................robinsonii robinsonii Cresson
4B a. Mesopleuron with numerous coarse punctures.
b. Abdominal coloration various.
c. Wing coloration various..........................................................................................................................................................5
5A a. Flagellum mostly rufous, blackish apically.
b. Wings pale to dark brown.
c. Abdomen rufous, usually with yellow markings.......................................................................elegans quaintancei Viereck
5B a. Flagellum entirely black or nearly so.
b. Wings black or subhyaline.
c. Abdominal coloration various.................................................................................................................................................6
6A a. Wings black.
b. Size large, usually 20+ mm in length.
c. Mainly black with posterior femora red, cream-colored markings on the head and thorax.........bipunctata bipunctata Say
6B a. Wings hyaline to subhyaline.
b. Size smaller; usually about 15 mm, always less than 20 mm.
c. Black with light yellow markings, all legs entirely fulvous...............................................................................longipes Smith
7A a. Frons with very small punctures and additionally scatter, rather conspicuous, larger punctures, the diameters of which are about 2.0-3.0X the diameter of the smaller punctures.
b. Scutellum entirely black..................................................................................................................................rugata Townes
7B a. Frons with dense, moderately small punctures and scattered, inconspicuous, larger punctures, the diameters of which are about 1.2-1.5X the diameter of the smaller punctures.
b. Scutellum usually with a white spot.......................................................................................................................................8
8A a. Hind femora rufous.
b. S6 of female a little longer.
c. Smaller punctures of thorax sharp............................................................................................................femoralis Cresson
8B a. Hind femora blackish.
b. S6 of female a little shorter.
c. Smaller punctures of thorax rather weak.......................................................................................................hatoda Brimley
bipunctata bipunctata Say, 1824
Identification: Size 15-25 mm. This is a fairly large, almost entirely black Ceropales. It is very similar in form to C. elegans quaintancei Viereck. Entirely black except for the following: most of the hind tibiae red (infuscate apically and basally), inner orbits and small spots on the posterolateral corners of the propodeum white or light yellow. This species belongs to the robinsonii species-group. They are mainly large species all having the posterior claw of the anterior tarsi and both claws of the middle tarsi bifid. The black coloration (including the antennae, wings, and most of the legs) and coarse punctures on the mesopleuron separate this species from other members of the robinsonii species-group.
Habitat: Open disturbed areas, overgrown fields, prairies, meadows, and other similar habitats.
Flower Records: Ampelopsis arborea, Euphorbia marginata, Stillingia sylvatica, Polytaenia nuttallii, Aster paniculatus, Solidago spp. (Townes, 1957).
Biology: Cleptoparasitoid behavior of this species has not been observed.
Flight Period: 30 specimens, 20 June to 28 September. Most specimens were captured in the first half of August. There is a single generation per year. This species appears to be rare in Ohio. I have seen no specimens from Ohio or the surrounding states captured after 1953.
Ohio Distribution: Widespread but rare. It has been collected from Franklin, Hocking, and Ottawa Counties.
brevicornis Patton, 1879
Identification: Size 9-14 mm. Black, marked with yellow on all parts of the body (refer to Townes, 1957). The legs beyond the coxae are red. Being the only member of the fulvipes species-group found in the eastern United States, all of the other characters useful for identification are presented in the key and should make this species fairly easy to recognize. However, it is superficially similar to Ceropales longipes Smith.
Flower Records: Asclepias pumila and Solidago sp. (Townes, 1957).
Biology: The cleptoparasitoid behavior and host of this species is unknown. Little is known about its biology in general.
Flight Period: Townes indicates collection records from 18 June to 7 October. The range for Ohio is probably slightly narrower but Ohio records fall well within this range. I have only seen four specimens and only two of those are from Ohio (the other two were from Hillsdale County, Michigan). This species is apparently rare in Ohio, or at least overlooked. The two Ohio specimens were captured in a trap set from 27 June to 16 July 2003. The Michigan specimens were captured on 8 September.
Ohio Distribution: This species has only been recorded from Cuyahoga County. It is very likely more widespread than this since it has also been captured in Hillsdale Co., Michigan, a county that borders Williams Co., Ohio to the north.
elegans quaintancei Viereck, 1902
Identification: Size 14-20 mm. This is a moderately large Ceropales similar in structure to but slightly smaller than C. b. bipunctata Say. This species is extensively orange-red with black on the thorax, especially the mesopleuron (occasionally entirely black). The flagellum is red, infuscate basally and apically. The wings are not as deeply infuscate as C. b. bipunctata Say. Both sexes are marked with varying amounts of yellow on the body; see Townes (1957) for a more in depth description. See C. b. bipunctata Say and the key above for other structures important for identification.
Habitat: Open disturbed areas, overgrown fields, prairies, meadows, and other similar habitats.
Flower Records: Melilotus alba, Daucus carota, Pastinaca sativa, and Solidago sp.
Flight Period: 21 specimens, 12 July to 21 August. Most captures are from the last half of July and the first half of August. There is one generation per year. It is a fairly common species.
Ohio Distribution: This species is previously unrecorded from Ohio and its distribution in the state is still poorly understood. It is likely that it is much more widely distributed than indicated here. It is known from five counties in northwest Ohio: Allen, Hancock, Hardin, Seneca, and Wyandot.
hatoda Brimley, 1928
Identification: Size 5-10 mm. This small species is very similar to C. rugata Townes. Other than that species it is not easily confused with any other in Ohio. The two species differ in color and sculpture of the frons. C. rugata has more strongly punctate frons with wider, deeper punctures in addition to smaller punctures. The punctures on the frons of C. hatoda are smaller and shallower. The scutellum of this species is marked with a white spot, where C. rugata lacks this coloration.
Habitat: Found in deciduous and mixed woods.
Flower Records: Not known to visit flowers. Townes (1957) noted that males of this species were taken on Liriodenron honeydew.
Biology: This species has been observed closely following Ageniella partita Banks, that species is probably its social host.
Flight Period: One specimen, captured in a trap set 25-29 August 2003 (GAC 2627). Townes (1957) remarks that adults were recorded from 7 June to 11 September. Specimens are rather rare in collections. It is difficult to say if this species is rare or not, it is probably more likely that it is easily overlooked.
Ohio Distribution: Known only from Hocking County. It is probably more widespread than this.
longipes Smith, 1855
Identification: Size 11-16 mm. As a member of the robinsonii species-group this species is fairly easily recognized. This species has subhyaline or nearly hyaline wings, light yellow markings on an entirely black body, and entirely orange legs. All other members of this species-group are not colored as above and have moderately to deeply infuscated wings. Significant structural characters are given above in the key.
Habitat: Mixed and deciduous woods. Often captured in sunny openings in low vegetation.
Flower Records: None known.
Biology: Nothing is known about its biology.
Flight Period: 30 specimens, 18 July to 14 September. There appears to be a peak in abundance in the first half of July. There is one generation per year. This species is uncommon and appears to be restricted to the southern half of Ohio.
Ohio Distribution: This species is widespread in the southern half of Ohio. It has been collected from Franklin, Greene, Hamilton, and Hocking Counties.
maculata fraterna Smith, 1855
Identification: Size 7-15 mm. This species is easily separated from all other Ceropales found in Ohio by the following characters: the claws of the median tarsi and posterior claw of the anterior tarsi dentate, males having none of the tarsi or tarsal claws specialized, the frons of both sexes having very small punctures with no noticeable large punctures, and the surface of that structure being rather dull. This species is mostly black usually with bright yellow (occasionally very light yellow) markings on the body. The posterior femur is usually marked with a large yellow spot at the apex and is sometimes slightly tinged with orange, but is never wholly orange.
Habitat: Found within and at the edges of mixed and deciduous woods. Usually seen in open sunny spots on low vegetation.
Flower Records: Aralia spinosa, Aster sp., Daucus carota, Eriogonum sp., Medicago sativa, Pastinaca sativa, Polygonum sp., Solidago spp. It is has also been collected off honeydew from Cirsium vulgare (Townes, 1957).
Biology: Females of this species may have several hosts but known hosts are Arachnospila scelesta and Priocnemis nr. germana. They have been noted to tenaciously trail other species of Pompilidae, not even relenting when attacked (Evans and Yoshimoto, 1962).
Flight Period: 232 specimens, 17 May to 15 October. There are two moderate peaks, the first in the second half of July and the second in the last half of August. There seems to be at least two overlapping generation per year. This is by far the most common species of Ceropales in Ohio.
Ohio Distribution: Widespread throughout Ohio. It has been collected from Ashtabula, Butler, Clermont, Cuyahoga, Franklin, Fulton, Greene, Hamilton, Hancock, Harrison, Hocking, Lorain, Monroe, Montgomery, Muskingum, Ottawa, Pike, Summit, and Vinton Counties.
robinsonii robinsonii Cresson, 1867
Identification: Size 9-15 mm. Color unique for Ceropales found in Ohio: head and mesosoma black, abdomen and legs red. Flagellum black. Wings are moderately to deeply infuscate. Head and thorax are marked with white; most notably on the face, antennal scape and pedicel, posterior margin of the pronotum, and a long postorbital mark (see Townes, 1957 for a more complete description of coloration). It differs from all other members of the robinsonii species-group by the impunctate mesopleuron.
Habitat: Mixed and deciduous woods, open woods, and woodland edges.
Flower Records: Cicuta maculata (Townes, 1957)
Biology: The social host of this species is Phanagenia bombycina. Little else is known of its biology.
Flight Period: Seven specimens, 12 May to August. Of the seven specimens four are labeled "August". There are two others from mid-July. Townes (1957) indicates that this species is rare. The data for this study supports that.
Ohio Distribution: Probably found statewide, wherever its host occurs. However, it has only been collected from Franklin, Hocking, and Ottawa Counties.
rugata Townes, 1957
Identification: Size 5-10 mm. Very similar to C. hatoda. Ceropales rugata lacks a white spot on the scutellum and the frons possesses larger, deeper puctures (2.0-3.0X the width of the smaller punctures of the frons, as opposed to 1.2-1.5X)
Habitat: Found in mesophytic mixed and deciduous woods.
Flower Records: Not known to commonly visit flowers. Townes (1957) did note that two females were taken at the extrafloral nectaries of Chamaecrista nictitans.
Biology: One of the two specimens known from Ohio was netted by the author at Oak Openings Metropark flying in very close vicinity to two female Priocnemis germana. That species is possibly its social host. More concrete information on its biology is lacking.
Flight Period: Two specimens, one from a trap set from 15-17 September 1987 and another hand-netted by the author on 7 September 2003. Although both records are from September, this species is likely found throughout the warm season. It is probably much more common that this data indicates. It is more likely that it is easily overlooked because of its small size.
Ohio Distribution: It is known in Ohio from two widely spaced records, one specimen from Monroe County and another from Lucas County.
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