Description of a new species of Zodarion Walckenaer (Araneae: Zodariidae) from Turkey

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  Description of a new species of Zodarion Walckenaer (Araneae: Zodariidae) from Turkey Introduction Zodariidae Thorell, commonly known as ant-eating spiders, is one of the most diverse spider families, comprising over 1300 species across 90 genera (World Spider Catalog  Citation 2026 ). Members of the family are distributed worldwide, mostly in tropical and subtropical regions (World Spider Catalog  Citation 2026 ). Within this large family, the genus Zodarion Walckenaer, is represented by 176 species (World Spider Catalog  Citation 2026 ). Currently, 157 Zodarion species are known from Europe (Nentwig et al .  Citation 2026 ). In Turkey, the family Zodariidae comprises 37 species in four genera. Most of them, 34 species, belong to the genus Zodarion (Danışman et al. ,  Citation 2025 ). Within the genus, eight species of the ‘ germanicum ’ species group are found in Turkey: Zodarion abantense Wunderlich, Z. bigaense Bosmans, Özkütük, Varlı, and Kunt, ...

Note on the introduced Asian mud-dauber wasp Sceliphron curvatum (F. Smith, 1870) and its prey in Belgium

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Note on the introduced Asian mud-dauber wasp Sceliphron curvatum (F. Smith, 1870) and its prey in Belgium

Abstract
This note documents the first observations of the prey of Sceliphron curvatum (F. Smith, 1870) (Hymenoptera: Sphecidae) in Belgium, recorded in the municipality of Jette (Brussels-Capital Region). The analysis of the paralyzed prey (n = 39) revealed the presence of nine spider species belonging to five families: Anyphaenidae, Araneidae, Philodromidae, Salticidae and Thomisidae. The family Araneidae dominates the trophic spectrum, represented mainly by juveniles of Araneus diadematus (Clerck, 1757). Two relatively rare species or species with a restricted regional distribution were identified: Macaroeris nidicolens (Walckenaer, 1802) (Salticidae) and Philodromus buxi (Simon, 1884) (Philodromidae). These data indicate opportunistic exploitation of spiders associated with upper (vegetation) layers and adaptation to anthropized habitats. The lack of marked trophic specialization in S. curvatum suggests a low risk of significant impact on native spider populations in Belgium. However, further quantitative studies are needed to assess potential competitive interactions with native arthropod predators. 

Henrard, Arnaud & Drumont, Hugo & Drumont, Alain. (2025). Note on the introduced Asian mud-dauber wasp Sceliphron curvatum (F. Smith, 1870) and its prey in Belgium. 40. Journal of the Belgian Arachnological Society Volume 40 (1) 2025