Anoplius nigerrimus

Description

Up to 11mm length. Third submarginal cell almost triangular; comb spines of inferior row on fore basitarsus longer than those of superior row; erect hairs of thorax fine, short, with a few fine hairs on propodeum; largely with dark pubescence.  The commonest of our three black Anoplius species and fairly frequent in a variety of habitats featuring light, sparsely-vegetated soils, especially clays. This includes woodland clearings, arable, brownfield sites, dry grasslands and gardens. A. carbonarius is scarcer, often tied to damp woodlands where it can source the mud necessary for its specialized architecture. 

Identification difficulty
Identification aids
Feature Anoplius nigerrimus Auplopus carbonarius
Common Name Common Black Spider-Wasp Potter Spider-Wasp
Nesting Burrows in sparsely vegetated soil/clay Builds barrel-shaped mud cells
Prey Handling Drags intact spider to the burrow Amputates the spider's legs before transport
Pilosity (Hair) Long erect hairs on thorax and propodeum Virtually devoid of erect hairs
Hind Claws Simple Distinctly toothed
Overall Shape Standard spider-wasp shape Slender with a slightly more pronounced petiole
Recording advice

Unless identified by a recognised expert, a photo is required and the specimen should be examined with a microscope. In the comments box, state the key or ID method used and describe the size and identifying characters.

When to see it

May to September.

UK Status

Common and widespread.

Leicestershire & Rutland Status

Unknown.

Further Information

BWARS: https://bwars.com/wasp/pompilidae/pompilinae/anoplius-nigerrimus


Spider wasps. Hymenoptera: Pompilidae, vol. 6 Part 4. London: Royal Entomological Society of London, 1988, p. 60. Available at: https://www.royensoc.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2021/12/Vol06_Part04.pdf

Leicestershire & Rutland Map

MAP KEY:

Yellow squares = NBN records (all known data)
Coloured circles = NatureSpot records: 2025+ | 2020-2024 | pre-2020

UK Map

Species profile

Species group:
insect - hymenopteran
Kingdom:
Animalia
Order:
Hymenoptera
Family:
Pompilidae
Records on NatureSpot:
4
First record:
15/06/2013 (Woodward, Steve)
Last record:
28/06/2026 (Cann, Alan)

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