Pompilidae - Pepsis sp.
Family Pompilidae
Pepsis sp. Size: Approximately 26 mm Group Guild Status Incidental N/A Rare A lone dead individual of this species was found on the tour trail in the Big Room on September 28, 2009. The yellow fungal fruiting bodies on the dead animal (photo at left) are common on organic deposits in the cave, including as an early decomposing element on most fresh bat guano deposits. We tried to sample this animal for identification, but it was already totally disarticulated, and we left it in place as a nutrient source in the cave. The presence of this species is an incidental occurrence in the cave. It probably entered the cave through the tunnel entrances with a cave tour. Alternatively, but less likely, it could have entered the cave through the historic Entrance Sink and eventually made its way into the heart of the cave, and could not find its way back out. |
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