Search

A new species,Spilomena capatrataBashir & Ma, sp. nov. is described from Palearctic and Oriental China. Additionally, eleven species are reported, of which five are new records from China:S. beataBlüthgen,S. hainesiN. Smith,S. menkeiR. Bohart,S. punctatissimaBlüthgen, andS. valkeilaiVikberg. A key to Chinese species ofSpilomenaShuckard is also provided.

The taxonomy of the apoid wasps of the genusCarinostigmusfrom China is studied, with description of four new species, namelyCarinostigmus capiconvergensBashir & Ma,sp. nov.,Carinostigmus longivertexBashir & Ma,sp. nov.,Carinostigmus rugipunctatusBashir & Ma,sp. nov., andCarinostigmus triangularisBashir & Ma,sp. nov. An updated key to the Chinese species ofCarinostigmusis provided.

The Palaearctic species of the digger wasps genus Hoplisoides Gribodo, 1884 (Hymenoptera: Crabronidae: Bembicinae) are reviewed, and a key to both sexes is given. Two new species are described and illustrated: Hoplisoides flavescens Mokrousov, sp. nov. (Azerbaijan) and H. leleji Mokrousov, sp. nov. (Turkmenistan). New synonymy is proposed for Hoplisoides craverii (A. Costa), 1867 = Gorytes merceti de Beaumont, 1950, syn. nov.Hoplisoides distinguendus (Yasumatsu, 1939), stat. resurr. is reinstated to full specific level. An updated checklist of the ten species of Hoplisoides so far known from Palaearctic region is provided.

We report on the discovery of the spider-hunting wasp Trypoxylon petiolatum (Crabronidae) nesting in three localities in the Province of Girona (Catalonia, NE Spain) in 2019 and 2021. This species is native to eastern Asia and has not previously been reported from Europe. We provide a detailed description of the species, as well as information on its nest architecture, cocoon shape, the identity of the spiders captured to provision the nests, and mortality rates, including parasitism by a native cleptoparasitic fly (Amobia signata, Miltogramminae, Sarcophagidae) and a native parasitoid wasp (Melittobia acasta, Eulophidae).

Astatid wasps are referred to in literature as specialized predators of hemipterans. We present an unusual prey record for the genusAstatain a Cerrado area (Savannah), at Chapada dos Veadeiros National Park, Goiás State, Brazil. We collected one specimen ofAstata lugensTaschenberg carrying an immature cricket (Gryllidae) as prey.

Five new species of the genusStigmus:S.capoblongusBashir & Ma,sp. n.,S.denticorneusBashir & Ma,sp. n.,S.fronticoncavusBashir & Ma,sp. n.,S.interruptusBashir & Ma,sp. n.andS.lobomelanicusBashir & Ma,sp. n.are described and illustrated from China. Also, a key to the species ofStigmusPanzer occurring in China is provided.

Males of Cercerisclypeata appear to mark grass stems and other plant parts with secretions from cephalic glands by placing the head and tip of the abdomen on the plant as they walk up the stem or around the leaf of the marked plant. Behavior of this sort has rarely been recorded for Cerceris but is common in the Philanthinae including some members of the Cercerini, which includes Cerceris. Males of C.clypeata very occasionally defended their small marking site against intruders but no nests or females were observed during the study. The abdomen dragging behavior of C.clypeata and another member of the genus suggest that marking behavior is ancestral for the subfamily.

The genus Odontosphex Arnold, 1951 is newly recorded from Central Asia. A new species, Odontosphex lelejisp. nov., is described and illustrated based on males from Turkmenistan (Badkhyz Nature Reserve, Eroyulanduz valley). Keys to males and females of all known species of Odontosphex are provided.

Two new species of the genus Dasyproctus Lepeletier de Saint Fargeau & Brulle ( Crabronidae , Crabroninae , Crabronini ) from China are described and illustrated, namely D. amplicarinalis Yue & Ma, sp. nov. from Yunnan, and D. hainanensis Yue & Li, sp. nov. from Hainan. In addition, D. cevirus Leclercq and D. vaporus Leclercq are recorded for the first time from China. A key to the species of Dasyproctus from China is provided.

The wasp genus Psenulus is the most diverse genus of the family Psenidae in the superfamily Apoidea, with its diversity peaking in the Oriental realm. Six species of the genus are here recorded for the first time from the Hong Kong SAR. Three of these, Psenulus ephippiussp. nov., Psenulus gibbussp. nov. and Psenulus pallenssp. nov. are described as new to science. An identification key, figures for all taxa recorded in Hong Kong and phenology of five of the six species are also provided.

Factors affecting the ecology of a large population of Pacific cicada killers (Sphecius convallis) occupying a field of mine tailings in Ruby, AZ, were examined. Burrows were quite dense in certain areas around the periphery of the mine tailings, but were dispersed randomly within these areas. Approximately 1600 females (based on burrow counts) and 2500 males (based on mark-recapture) were recorded, yielding a total population estimate of 5000–6000 adults. Female wasps were able to dig much more rapidly in the mine tailings than their congeners S. speciosus in soils from PA, suggesting that the habitat suitability was a large factor in this robust population. Provisioning rate was comparatively slow, however, suggesting that cicada abundance in that year was not a contributor to the high population density. The presence of a sap-producing tree may have eased the energetic and thermoregulatory demands of the wasps. Although excavations revealed that the number of burrows and cells could easily maintain the population size, the lack of cicadas probably resulted instead in a population crash the following season.

We document the presence of the Palearctic Psenulus pallipes (Panzer, 1798) in Chile for the first time. We believe this represents an adventive population introduced into the Neotropical region most likely by accidental human transportation of nests. A map of distribution in Chile, illustrations of external morphology, and a discussion of morphological features to distinguish the introduced taxon from the Neotropical species are presented.

Three new species of

The solitary wasp Trypoxylon nitidum F. Smith nests in a variety of existing cavities. Nesting success – the fraction of completed, provisioned cells that produced adult offspring – can be estimated by examination of old cells. We estimated nesting success of T. nitidum in new and old (previously utilized by T. nitidum) bamboo traps nests, old nests of solitary wasps (Sceliphron fistularium (Dahlbom), Trypoxylon albitarse Fabr. and Zeta argillaceum (L.)) and social wasps (Polistes lanio (Fabr.) and P. versicolor (Olivier)) in Trinidad, West Indies. Success was markedly higher (61.4%) in new trap nests and significantly lower (5.6%) in old trap nests than in other substrates. Mean success in old nests of other wasps varied from 10.0% to 28.8%, with no general difference between those of solitary and social wasps. We infer that a) rented (reutilized) nests are more easily located by parasites than are new trap nests, and b) old trap nests have a higher load of parasites and disease organisms than substrates not previously utilized by T. nitidum.

Exploitation of the hunting behavior of the solitary wasp Cerceris fumipennis is proving to be a useful method for detecting pest Buprestidae as well as for documenting buprestid diversity in eastern North America. Here we review prey carriage mechanisms in the species, and conclude that variation in prey carriage is correlated with the spectacular size range of their buprestid prey (4.9–22.3 mm length). Small prey items, including Agrilus species, are transported with the aid of a specialized morphological structure on the fifth metasomal sternite ("buprestid clamp"), resulting in a distinct curved posture during flight. Analysis of prey items from C. fumipennis in North Carolina in 2014 indicates that 30% of collected Agrilus spp. were not paralyzed prior to wasp arrival at the nest, and suggests that the buprestid clamp may function to prevent the escape of active small prey. Recognition that the curved flight posture of a female approaching her nest is a signal that she may be carrying a beetle in the genus Agrilus can improve efficiency of biosurveillance for pest Buprestidae.

Communal nesting, rare in the crabronid wasps, has been recorded for various species in the Spilomenina clade of the Pemphredoninae. A new communally nesting species, Spilomena socialis, is described from peninsular Malaysia where it nested on buildings at Bukit Fraser. The nest consists of a group of closely spaced clusters of vertically oriented cells attached to walls, and is constructed of tiny pieces of vegetal and mineral origin, parts of insects, and fungal hyphae bound together by silk secreted from each female wasp's abdominal gland. Nests contained up to 39 cells (average 10.4 cells, N = 35). Nest entrances were at the upper end of the cells and were protected on one side by a "roof". Cells constructed side-by-side have their roofs connected to form a tube that allowed access to all the cells. Nests were inhabited by 1–13 females (average 4.3 females per nest, N = 21) and 0–4 males, the overall sex ratio being 0.22. Ovarian development among the females in a nest varied. In 8 of 20 nests with 3 or more females only one female had developed ovaries, but female size (measured as head width) did not correlate with ovarian development. Cells are apparently progressively provisioned with thrips, and are often re-used. Adult females cooperatively defend the nests against intruders.

Geographical distributions based on available records are presented for the 37 currently recognized species of Bembix Fabricius known to occur in southern Africa. These are albata Parker, albicapilla Arnold, albofasciata Smith, anomalipes Arnold, arnoldi Arnold, atrospinosa Turner, baumanni Handlirsch, bubalus Handlirsch, cameronis Handlirsch, capensis Lepeletier, capicola Handlirsch, carinata F. Smith, cultrifera Arnold, denticauda Arnold, diversipennis F. Smith, flavicincta R. Turner, fraudulenta Arnold, fuscipennis Lepeletier, gracilens J. Parker, harenarum Arnold, karroensis Gess, liturata R. Turner, loupata R. Parker, massaica Cameron, melanopa Handlirsch, moebii Handlirsch, monedula Handlirsch, namibensis Gess, ochracea Handlirsch, olivata Dahlbom, regnata Parker, scaura Arnold, sibilans Handlirsch, triangulifera Arnold, ulula Arnold, venusta Arnold, and zinni Gess. A single specimen of Bembix compedita R. Turner has been recorded from South Africa but as the species is known principally from Malawi this requires confirmation.Some diagnostic characters are given for the hitherto undescribed female of namibensis.A range of distribution patterns are noted – narrowly endemic to widespread through the Afrotropical Region and into Egypt. Four species, albata, arnoldi, harenarum and fraudulenta appear to have strictly southern African coastal distributions.A summary of the knowledge of flower associations, nesting and prey are given for those species for which data are available.

Smoky winged beetle bandits, Cerceris fumipennis Say, digger wasps in the family Hymenoptera: Crabronidae: Cercerini, provision their underground nests with adult metallic wood-boring beetles (Coleoptera: Buprestidae). Researchers, as well as engaged community volunteers, in several states have monitored female wasps returning to their nests as a means to detect invasive buprestid species. In this paper, we report the first detection of emerald ash borer (Agrilus planipennis Fairemore), an invasive beetle responsible for killing millions of ash trees in North America, in Connecticut by C. fumipennis and discuss its relationship to A. planipennis survey efforts by other modalities in the state. We also report detections of A. planipennis by C. fumipennis in Illinois, New York and Ontario; all of which were made after it was known the beetle was in the area. These findings support the use of C. fumipennis as a biomonitoring tool and bolster the use of engaged volunteers.

Larrisson menkei Pagliano, 1995, is transferred to Clitemnestra comb. n. and twelve new species of Larrisson are described: armatus, carinatus, latifrons, niger, orbitalis, punctatus, quintus, spinosus, sulcatus, tegularis, tibialis, and variegatus, all from Australia. Based on a cladistic analysis of the genus, Larrisson nedymus Menke is transferred to Larrissa gen. n. Additional locality records are provided for Larrisson abnormis Turner, azyx Menke, rieki Menke, and for Larrissa nedyma (Menke). An updated key to the species of Larrisson and Larrissa is provided.

A distinctive new species of the crabronine wasp genus Quexua Pate is described and figured from a single male collected from lowland Amazonian rain forest in southeastern Peru. Quexua cicra sp. n. is the only species in the genus known with a sessile metasoma.

Previous cytogenetic analyses in Trypoxylon Latreille, 1796 have been basically restricted to C-banding. In the present study, base-specific CMA3 and DAPI fluorochrome staining were used to characterize the constitutive heterochromatin in three Trypoxylon species. The heterochromatin was GC-rich in all the species studied; however, in Trypoxylon nitidum F. Smith, 1856 the molecular composition of the heterochromatin was different among chromosome pairs. Conversely, the euchromatin was AT-rich in the three species. These results suggest high conservatism in the euchromatic regions as opposed to the heterochromatic regions that have a high rate of changes. In this study, we report the karyotype of Trypoxylon rugifrons F. Smith, 1873 which has the lowest chromosome number in the genus and other characteristics of the likely ancestral Trypoxylon karyotype.

The sting microsculpture of the digger wasp Bembix rostrata (Fabricius, 1781) (Hymenoptera, Crabronidae) is studied with the scanning electron microscope (SEM) for the first time. As in many other hymenopterans, the second valvifer of B. rostrata possesses two fields of styloconic sensilla (hair plates) of proprioceptive function. The presence of two paired fields of campaniform sensilla on the second valvula and second valvifer is first shown in an apoid wasp. The first and the second valvulae bear scattered sensilla-like structures on the external surface, more numerous apically. The first valvula has two subapical barbs externally and a pair of valvilli on its inner surface, whereas the outer surface of the second valvula is smooth. The third valvula is sclerotized externally, consisting of proximal and distal parts, and bearing four sensilla morphotypes of mechanoreceptive and probably chemoreceptive functions. The inner surface of the valvulae and the membranous cuticle that is touching the sting have microstructures of different shapes directed distally. Functional aspects of characters studied are discussed.

Males of the little known crabronid wasp Tachysphex menkei Pulawski engage in hilltopping behavior at the peak of Usery Mountain in central Arizona. Males are active at midday in the late spring at this location. Individuals perch on and launch out and back fl ights from small rocks near prominent plants growing at the highest parts of the undulating ridgeline that makes up the peak. Th e same set of sites attracted two generations of males (in 2009 and 2010). If site-faithful males are territorial (and if size infl uences territorial success), resident males (those that returned to their perches over at least two days) should be larger on average than the males that replace them after the residents have been removed. Th is expectation was met. In keeping with the hypothesis that hilltopping is a mating system of last resort, only a few males were seen on any given day and no females were observed, suggesting that the population of the species is small and dispersed, at least in central Arizona.

Malaygorytes konishii Nemkov, 1999 (now Argogorytes konishii) from Western Malaysia is synonymized with Argogorytes matangensis (Turner, 1914) from Eastern Malaysia. Cerceris bantamensis van der Vecht, 1964 from Java is synonymized with Cerceris ferox F. Smith, 1856 (which also occurs in Sumatra and Malaysia). Recognition characters of the two species are discussed and illustrated.

The beetle-hunting habits of ground nesting wasps in the genus Cerceris Latreille have been recently exploited as a survey technique for exotic and native Buprestidae, particularly Agrilus planipennis Fairmaire (the emerald ash-borer). While such methods have been developed for the wide-ranging eastern Cerceris fumipennis Say, the survey potential of western buprestid-hunting Cerceris spp. has not been explored. Cerceris californica Cresson is the most well-studied of the western buprestid feeders, and the only one known to occur in Washington state. Here we report the results of surveys conducted in Washington in 2012–2013 for C. californica colonies, and numbers of buprestid beetles collected from monitored colonies. Eight C. californica colonies were found through visual search of 228 baseball fields and sandy clearings, but only four were large enough to monitor. Fifty-four beetles were recovered from the four colonies, comprising five native species. Four of these are new prey records for C. californica, and one (Chrysobothris quadriimpressa Gory & Laporte) is newly recorded from Washington. Cerceris californica colonies do not appear to be large or common enough in Washington to be a significant exotic buprestid survey strategy. However, even the limited monitoring resulted in more buprestid captures than nearby purple sticky traps, and monitoring C. californica nests may be a locally useful supplement for general buprestid surveys.

The geographic ranges of six species of apoid wasps are extended: Chlorion hemiprasinum (Sichel, 1863), Podium trigonopsoides Menke, 1974, Eremnophila eximia (Lepeletier de Saint Fargeau, 1845), Prionyx chilensis (Spinola, 1851), Stictia signata (Linnaeus, 1758) and Bicyrtes discisus (Taschenberg, 1870). The paper is based on the examination of the entomological collections of the Museu Nacional-Universidade Federal do Rio de Janeiro and of the Instituto Oswaldo Cruz.