Pompilus mirandus (Saussure 1868)

Pompilus mirandus (Saussure)

This species was recorded by Day (1981) from Pakistan to Sri Lanka, Burma, Malaya, and Java. He listed Sri Lankan localities as follows.

Jaffna District: Mandaitivu Island, Mankuppana on Leiden Island, and 16 km S of Pooneryn

Mannar District: 0.8 km NE of Kokmotte Bungalow in Wilpattu National Park, Olaittoduvai, Silavatturai, and Kondachchi, Mullikkulam across Moderagam Aru from Wilpattu National Park

Anuradhapura District: Padaviya and Hunuwilagama

Trincomalee District: Tennamaravadi and Trincomalee, China Bay

Amparai District: Panama, Radella Tank

Kandy District: Aruppola, Teldeniya, Hasalaka, and Kandy, Udawattakele Sanctuary

Puttalam District: Panikka Villu and Tala Wila

Colombo District: Katunayaka, Colombo Museum Garden, Kohuwala, Nugegoda, Papiliyana, and Ratmalana

Ratnapura District: Uggalkaltota

Monaragala District: Angunakolapelessa and Mau Aru

Hambantota District: Hambantota and Palutapana

The species occurs usually on rather sandy soil in all three ecological areas, although it is most abundant in the Dry Zone. It is found from sea level to 510 m in localities where the average annual rainfall is 920–2032 mm.

PREY.—P.B. Karunaratne caught a female, 7 mm long, with her prey at 1120 on 14 June 1976, on the bund of Radella Tank at Panama. The spider was an immature wolf spider, 4.5 mm long, a species of Lycosidae.