Biodiversity and ecology in the Australian bush
Sphodrotes have: - inner margins of eyes parallel, or slightly converging below - a wide scapal basin (most)

Sphodrotes have:
- inner margins of eyes parallel, or slightly converging below
- a wide scapal basin (most)

Sphodrotes have: - inner margins of eyes parallel, or slightly converging below - a wide scapal basin (most)

Sphodrotes have:
- inner margins of eyes parallel, or slightly converging below
- a wide scapal basin (most)

Most of the Sphodrotes I see are males, either flying on patrol or perched on low vegetation.

Most of the Sphodrotes I see are males, either flying on patrol or perched on low vegetation.

They tend to pivot to and fro on the same perch, looking in all directions, before flying off again … and often returning to the same perch a short time later.

They tend to pivot to and fro on the same perch, looking in all directions, before flying off again … and often returning to the same perch a short time later.

Sphodrotes have: - the mesopleuron sharply angled anteriorly (arrow) That is, they look to have a square chest.

Sphodrotes have:
- the mesopleuron sharply angled anteriorly (arrow)

That is, they look to have a square chest.

Inspecting her chosen nest site … sandy soil beneath a layer of loose gravel, fallen leaves and twigs.

Inspecting her chosen nest site … sandy soil beneath a layer of loose gravel, fallen leaves and twigs.

Excavation works proceed in relative obscurity. This is in stark contrast to the ‘out in the open’ approach of nest digging among some other crabronids (e.g. Cerceris , Bembix ).

Excavation works proceed in relative obscurity. This is in stark contrast to the ‘out in the open’ approach of nest digging among some other crabronids (e.g. Cerceris, Bembix).

I had just spotted this female land on the stick, when the male flew in and grabbed her. Note the much smaller head and body of the male … a size difference that is difficult to appreciate unless they’re coupled like this.

I had just spotted this female land on the stick, when the male flew in and grabbed her. Note the much smaller head and body of the male … a size difference that is difficult to appreciate unless they’re coupled like this.

His mandibles are gripping her antennae, appearing to pull her head up … perhaps making it more difficult for her to scurry or fly away.

His mandibles are gripping her antennae, appearing to pull her head up … perhaps making it more difficult for her to scurry or fly away.

Escape she does, by throwing her whole body off the stick, although the coupling holds firm for a moment longer. Immediately after this shot they were separated … and the male was perched nearby, grooming.

Escape she does, by throwing her whole body off the stick, although the coupling holds firm for a moment longer. Immediately after this shot they were separated … and the male was perched nearby, grooming.

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Sphodrotes have: - inner margins of eyes parallel, or slightly converging below - a wide scapal basin (most)
Sphodrotes have: - inner margins of eyes parallel, or slightly converging below - a wide scapal basin (most)
Most of the Sphodrotes I see are males, either flying on patrol or perched on low vegetation.
They tend to pivot to and fro on the same perch, looking in all directions, before flying off again … and often returning to the same perch a short time later.
Sphodrotes have: - the mesopleuron sharply angled anteriorly (arrow) That is, they look to have a square chest.
Inspecting her chosen nest site … sandy soil beneath a layer of loose gravel, fallen leaves and twigs.
Excavation works proceed in relative obscurity. This is in stark contrast to the ‘out in the open’ approach of nest digging among some other crabronids (e.g. Cerceris , Bembix ).
I had just spotted this female land on the stick, when the male flew in and grabbed her. Note the much smaller head and body of the male … a size difference that is difficult to appreciate unless they’re coupled like this.
His mandibles are gripping her antennae, appearing to pull her head up … perhaps making it more difficult for her to scurry or fly away.
Escape she does, by throwing her whole body off the stick, although the coupling holds firm for a moment longer. Immediately after this shot they were separated … and the male was perched nearby, grooming.