As one of the more recently defined taxa (Blüthgen, 1953) this species has rather more taxonomic stability than other species within the genus.

Previously regarded as a synonym for S.curraca, but Vikberg's 2000 treatment restores S. differens as a valid species (see Identification below)

Priocnemis hyalinata is one of two species of Priocnemis sens. str. which have an enlarged inner tooth on the tarsal claw. Females have the usual red and black pattern and are distinguished from the other species, fennica Haupt, by having shorter, thicker antennae. Males are black, often with some red on the second tergite, and usually with some red on the legs. They are most reliably determined by the internal genitalia which should be fully extracted.

Priocnemis fennica was only relatively recently recognised as British (Day, 1979) and older… Read more

A medium-sized, black and red species. In the female the clear window in the otherwise infuscate wing-tip, usually characteristic of its subgenus, is absent or poorly developed. The male subgenital plate is fairly distinctive, but must be extruded fully.

This species reproduces by thelytokous parthenogenesis and so all individuals are female (Wahis & Durand, 2004). References to the male are based on misidentifications. The female is a rather large, black wasp with strongly bifasciate wings and thus superficially resembles a Dipogon species. However, the hind tibia has the pronounced scale-like teeth typical of Priocnemis.

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.