Subfamily Ctenocerinae

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Introduction

The Ctenocerinae is represented in Australia by five genera and 34 species. The subfamily includes the enigmatic Maurillus australis Smith, 1855 known only from two specimens from Western Australia and the genus Epipompilus Kohl, 1884, which has been placed in various subfamilies and has been newly transferred into the Ctenocerinae by Pitts et al. (2006). Epipompilus is considered by some authors to be of primitive stock as members of the genus oviposit in situ on spiders and/or their egg cases. The remaining genera are actual or assumed predators on trapdoor spiders (Evans, 1972). Pitts et al. (2006) suggested that further analysis of this subfamily may result in the transfer of the Australian ctenocerines, except for Epipompilus, into other subfamilies.

Excluded Taxa

Misidentifications

Ctenocerus Dahlbom, 1845 — Elliott, M.G. 2007. Annotated catalogue of the Pompilidae (Hymenoptera) of Australia. Zootaxa 1428: 1-83 [Date published 19 Mar. 2007]

Ctenocerus ramosa (Smith, 1865) — Elliott, M.G. 2007. Annotated catalogue of the Pompilidae (Hymenoptera) of Australia. Zootaxa 1428: 1-83 [Date published 19 Mar. 2007]

History of changes