Behavior
"Ceropales maculata" is an uncommon spider wasp. This species intercepts other spider wasps engaged in prey transport and lays its eggs in the book lung of the captured spider. "C. maculata" then allows the other spider wasp to return to its nest, where the "C. maculata" larvae hatch, eat the host egg, and consume the spider.Spider wasps kleptoparasitised by "C. maculata" include species in the genera "Priocnemis", "Pompilus", "Agenioideus", "Arachnospila", "Anoplius", "Episyron" and "Auplopus" in Britain and Europe. Other species of non-Pompilid solitary wasp which use spiders as prey, for example the sphecid "Miscophus," may also be parasitised by "C. maculata".
This species is univoltine; adults are seen from May to September.
Habitat
"C. maculata" can be found in sandy areas such as heathlands, coastal dunes and sand pits.References:
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