A medium-sized, black and red species. It belongs to the subgenus Priocnemis sens. str., which includes, amongst the females, some of the most difficult of the British species to identify. Typical specimens have transverse striation on the propodeum well developed, relatively short, thick antennae, and a narrow metapostnotum. Males have distinct genital plates, but must be prepared properly to appreciate this character.

The small (2.5–3.5mm) species within the genus Spilomena probably suffer, more than any other crabronids, from under-recording. This is on account of their diminutive size, making initial discovery and capture less likely and then observation of difficult microscopic features more challenging. Rearing specimens from samples of nesting material is a useful way of searching for these wasps.

This species is not directly included within Lomholdt (1984) other than as a note to separate it from the Fennoscandian speciality Spilomena exspectata Valkeila, although Bitsch… Read more

There is some taxonomic uncertainty regarding this, and other, Spilomena species. Here, in line with BWARS, we are currently taking the stance held by Dollfuss (1991) that this species is synonymous with S. differens Blüthgen. However, Lomholdt (1984), Vikberg (2000) and Bitsch et al. (2001) treat the two as separate species. It would be useful to determine whether or not British specimens conform to the curruca sensu stricto or differens s.s. types, should each be promoted to true species in the future.

A medium-sized red and black species, the female usually with red-marked legs. It belongs to the subgenus Priocnemis sens. str., which includes some of the most difficult species to identify accurately. Amongst this group, the female of agilis is one of the better characterised species. The male may be confidently identified by reference to the genitalia.

Until recently this species was known as gracilis Haupt, 1927 (Wahis, 2006; Collins, 2010). The male is relatively distinctive on the subgenital plate, but the female belongs to the difficult group of Priocnemis.

A medium-sized species with red and black gaster; the female with bifasciate wings. Males are easy to identify by the characteristic genital plate. However, females can be very difficult to identify and the advice of Day (1988), that some individuals cannot be placed to species, should be heeded.

Priocnemis exaltata belongs to Priocnemis sens. str. Males can be identified by examination of the genitalia, and females recognised by the long metapostnotum. It is one of the largest species in its subgenus.

Priocnemis fennica belongs in Priocnemis sens. str., where, along with hyalinata (Fabricius), it exhibits the character of a greatly enlarged inner tooth on the tarsal claw. Males exhibit distinct differences in their genitalia in comparison to hyalinata; females of both species are more similar and the characters to separate them more subtle (Day, 1988).

It has only relatively recently been recognised as British (Day, 1979) and older records of ‘hyalinata’, or its synonym femoralis, might refer to either species; fennica… Read more