Priocnemis conformis

Priocnemis conformis females predominantly prey on the early instars of mygalomorph spiders, including Stanwellia species, Cantuaria spp., and the black tunnelweb Porrhothele antipodiana.^[4] Prior to digging their nests, females sting and paralyse the spider for up to fourteen hours, often hiding the spider under twigs, logs, and leaves while digging their nest. Nests are largely made of solitary cells within burrows, typically within loose soil although they may also use sand in coastal areas or utilise pre-existing burrows. Spiders are placed within the nest, and a single egg is laid across the mid-dorsum of the paralysed spider, with positioning unique for Priocnemis in New Zealand.^[4]

Nests of P. conformis females are typically closed and covered with leaves, twigs, berries, and soil (or sand in coastal areas). The female may also make between three and nine additional burrows to act as a false nest, often arranged in an arc formation. As a result of temporary paralysis, recovered spiders may spin a thick web matting on the cell floor.^[4] Young feed until days 15–25, after which they spin a cocoon, and emerge days 17–27. Males often emerge 4–10 days prior to females.^[4]

The robber fly Saropogon extenuatus acts as a mimic of female P. conformis, predating on males it attacks.^[6]