Bembix ochracea Handlirsch, 1893

Gess, Friedrich W. & Gess, Sarah K., 2014, Geographical distributions of Bembix (Hymenoptera, Crabronidae, Bembicinae) in southern Africa, with notes on biology, Journal of Hymenoptera Research 36, pp. 53-130 : 93-95

Bembix ochracea Handlirsch Fig. 13b

Bembex ochracea Handlirsch, 1893: 864, pl. 3, fig. 10, ♂ (Holotype, ♂, South Africa, former Transvaal, no locality, in MHNG); Dalla Torre 1897: 509 (in catalogue of world Hymenoptera ); Bingham 1902: 211 (South Africa); Arnold 1929: 386, figs 33, 33a-c, pl. 6, fig. 25, ♂, ♀ (in revision of southern African Sphecidae ); Arnold 1930: 21 (in checklist of Afrotropical Sphecidae ).

Bembix ochracea Handlirsch & Parker, 1929: 118, pl. 11, figs 146-148, ♂ (in revision of Stizini and Bembicini ); R. Bohart and Menke 1976: 546 (in checklist of world Sphecidae ); Gess and Gess 2003: 124 (flower visiting records); Pulawski 2013: 53 (in catalogue of world Sphecidae sensu lato).

Bembex opima Turner, 1917a: 440, ♂, ♀ (Syntypes, South Africa, Eastern Cape, Willowmore, in BMNH); Arnold 1929, synonymised with Bembix ochracea (in revision of southern African Sphecidae ); R. Bohart and Menke 1976: 548 (in checklist of world Sphecidae ).

Note.

Bembix ochracea Handlirsch was described from a single damaged specimen "aus Transvaal". Parker referred to a specimen from “Cap”, while Arnold recorded it from Willowmore. Bembix opima Turner, sunk into synonymy by Arnold, was described from Willowmore (January and February, Dr. H. Brauns).

Material examined.

NAMIBIA: Otjinungwa (SE 1712 Ab) [= 17.17S, 12.26E], 17-22.xi.1970 (collector ?), 2 ♀♀ [NMNW]; Marienfluss, 4-8 km S [of] Otjinungwa (SE 1712 Ac) [17.20S, 12.25E], 21-22.xi.1970 (collector ?), 1 ♀, 1 ♂ [NMNW]; near Two Palms, Uniab River (19.53S, 13.54E), 28.iii.2004 (F.W. and S.K. Gess), 1 ♂ (visiting white flowers of Heliotropium sp. not tubulosum, Boraginaceae ) [AMGS]; circa 17 km W [of] Khorixas (20.28S, 14.51E), 16.iii.2004 (F.W. and S.K. Gess), 3 ♂♂ (2 ♂♂ visiting pink flowers of Hermbstaedtia sp., Amaranthaceae , 1 ♂visiting yellow flowers of Geigeria sp., Asteraceae ) [AMGS]; Uis to Khorixas (20.54S, 15.05E), 15.iii.2004 (F.W. and S.K. Gess), 1 ♀ [AMGS]; Uis to Omaruru (21.14S, 15.00E), 14.iii.2004 (F.W. and S.K. Gess), 7 ♀♀ [AMGS]; Uis to Henties Bay (21.26S, 14.45E), 18.iv.2002, (F.W. and S.K. Gess), 2 ♀♀ [AMGS]; Uis/Henties Bay (21.27S, 14.45E), 17.iv.2002 (F.W. and S.K. Gess), 5 ♀♀ (1 ♀ visiting violet flowers of Monechma genistifolium (Engl.) C.B. Clarke, Acanthaceae ) [AMGS]; 81 km on road from coast to Uis Mine (21.32S, 14.43E), 17.iii.2000 (F.W. and S.K. Gess), 1 ♂ [AMGS]; NW of Cape Cross (21.44S, 13.59E), 14.iii.1999 (F.W. and S.K. Gess), 1 ♀, 2 ♂♂ visiting white flowers of Brownanthus kuntzei (Schinz) Ihlenf. & Bittrich, Aizoaceae : Mesembryanthema) [AMGS]; 110 km NW of Swakopmund (21.50S, 14.05F), 15.iii.1999 (F.W. and S.K. Gess), 1 ♀ (visiting yellow flowers of Galenia papulosa (Eckl. & Zeyh.) Sond., Aizoaceae : non-Mesembryanthema) [AMGS]; Henties Bay to Usakos via Spitzkoppen (21.54S, 14.58E), 19.iv.2002 (F.W. and S. K. Gess), 1 ♀ [AMGS]; 15 km W of Karibib on road to Usakos (21.56S, 15.42E), 5.iv.1998 (F.W. and S.K. Gess), 8 ♀♀, 1 ♂♂ (1 ♀ visiting deep pink flowers of Hermbstaedtia sp., Acanthaceae ; 1 ♂ visiting violet flowers of Monechma genistifolium (Engl.) C.B. Cl., Acanthaceae ) [AMGS]; 10 km W of Usakos, Swakopmund r[oa]d (21.59S, 15.30E), 13.iii.2004 (F.W. and S.K. Gess), 1 ♀[AMGS]; Okahandja [21.59S, 16.55E], 27.xii.1977 (Empey), 1 ♀ [AMGS]; Swakopmund 117 km on road to Usakos (22.02S, 15.17E), 16.iii.2000 (F.W. and S.K. Gess), 2 ♀♀ [AMGS]; 37 km from Usakos [on road] to Swakopmund (22.03S, 15.16E), 1.iv.2004 (F. W. and S.K. Gess), 2 ♀♀ (1 ♀ visiting yellow flowers of Asteraceae ) [AMGS]; Swakopmund 33 km on road to Usakos (22.34S, 14.49E), 15.iii.2000 (F.W. and S.K. Gess), 1 ♀ (visiting cream flowers of Gomphocarpus filiformis (E. Mey.) D. Dietr., Asclepiadaceae [AMGS]; Swakopmund/Usakos near Rössing Mine (22.34S, 14.49E), 5 ♀♀ (F.W. and S.K. Gess) [AMGS]; Swakop River bed on road to Goanikontes (22.41S, 14.35E), 11.iv.1998 (F.W. and S.K. Gess), 1 ♂ (visiting white flowers of Psilocaulon salicornioides (Pax) Schwantes, Aizoaceae : Mesembryanthema) [AMGS]; Plains south of Goanikontes (22.42S, 14.47E), 16.iv.2002 (F.W. and S.K. Gess), 17 ♀♀ [AMGS]; Kuiseb River bed at Rooibank (23.11S, 14.39E), 10.iv.1998 (F.W. and S.K. Gess), 6 ♀♀, 1 ♂ (3 ♀♀ visiting yellow flowers of bushy Geigeria sp., Asteraceae ) [AMGS]; Rooibank [23.11S, 14.39E], 19.xii.1978 (Empey), 5 ♀♀ [AMGS]; between Kuiseb and Gaub passes (23.24S, 15.50E), 23.iii.1999 (F.W. and S.K. Gess), 1 ♀ [AMGS]; Gaub River bed in Gaub Pass (23.29S, 15.46E), 14.iv.1998 (F.W. and S.K. Gess), 2 ♀♀, 2 ♂♂ (visiting yellow flowers of Zygophyllum simplex L., Zygophyllaceae ) [AMGS]; Solitaire (23.52S, 16.00E), 30.iv.2002 (F.W. and S.K. Gess), 2 ♀♀ [AMGS]; W [of] Solitaire (23.53S, 16.00E), 6.iv.2002 (F.W. and S.K. Gess), 1 ♀ [AMGS]; Gorrasis 99, Lüderitz (SE 2515 Bd) [25.18S, 15.56E], 12-15.ii.1973 (collector ?), 1 ♀ [NMNW]; SW of Gibeon, 41 km on [road] 1089 (25.20S, 17.29E), 10.iii.1999 (F.W. and S.K. Gess), 1 ♀ [AMGS]; Sinclair Mine 2, Lüderitz (SE 2516 Cb) [25.43S, 16.23E], 7.x.1972 (collector ?), 1 ♀, 3 ♂♂ [NMNW]; Kanaän 104, Lüderitz (SE 2516 Cc) [25.51S, 16.10E], 6-7.x.1972 (collector ?), 1 ♀, 1 ♂ [NMNW]; Barby 26, Bethanie (SE 2516 Dc) [25.51S, 16.33E], 2-7.x.1972 (collector ?), 10 ♀♀, 1 ♂ [NMNW]; 34 km on [road] C13 from Helmeringhausen (26.05S, 16.38E), 9.iii.1999 (F.W. and S.K. Gess), 2 ♀♀, 1 ♂ (visiting yellow flowers of Deverra denudata (Viv.) Pfisterer & Podl., Apiaceae ) [AMGS]; 32 km SW of Helmeringhausen (26.06S, 16.36E), 16.iii.1997 (F.W. and S.K. Gess), 3 ♀♀ (1 ♀ visiting yellow flowers of Deverra denudata (Viv.) Pfisterer & Podl., Apiaceae ) [AMGS]; 12 km E [of] Springbokwater (20.15S, 13.44E), 11.iv.2002 (F.W. and S.K. Gess), 1 ♀ (visiting Zygophyllum simplex L., Zygophyllaceae ) [AMGS]; Konkiep R[iver] at Bethanie (SE 2717Bd) [26.29S, 17.08E], 23.x.1971 (collector ?), 6 ♂♂ [NMNW]; Keetmanshoop [26.35S, 18.08E], 15.xii.1974 (Empey), 13 ♀♀, 6 ♂♂ [AMGS]; same locality and collector, 29.xii.1977, 7 ♀♀, 9 ♂♂, 19.xi.1984 (F.J. Herbst), 1 ♀ [AMGS]; 17 km E of Keetmanshoop [circa 26.36S, 18.19E], 25.v.1973 (M.F. Johannsmeier), 1 ♀ [AMGS]; near Aus on road to Helmeringhausen (26.37S, 16.20E), 15.iii.1997 (F.W. and S.K. Gess), 3 ♀♀, 3 ♂♂(visiting white flowers of Psilocaulon glareosum (Berger) Dinter & Schwantes, Aizoaceae : Mesembryanthema) [AMGS]; Riverside 135, Bethanie (SE 2616 Ca) [26.37S, 17.00E], 23-16 (sic). x.1971 (collector ?), 1 ♀ [NMNW]; Klein-Aus Vista (26.39S, 16.15E), 2.iii.2000 (F.W. and S.K. Gess), 5 ♀♀, 1 ♂ [AMGS]; Aus [26.40S, 16.15E],. xii.1929 (R.E. Turner), 2 ♀♀ [SAMC ex NMBZ]; Aus (26.40S, 16.15E), 2.iii.2000, 1 ♂; same locality, 3.iii.2000 (F.W. and S.K. Gess), 2 ♂♂ (visiting yellow flowers of Acacia sp., Mimosaceae ) [AMGS]; Keetmanshoop/Aus, 96 km E of Aus (26.42S, 17.11E), 28.iii.2000 (F.W. and S.K. Gess), 1 ♀ (visiting yellow flowers of Tribulus sp., Zygophyllaceae ) [AMGS]; Sperrgebiet, Dreizakberg (27.01S, 15.23E), 8.ix.2005 (F.W. and S.K. Gess),1 ♀ (hunting at bushes) [AMGS]; Noachabeb 97, Keetmanshoop (SE 2718 Ad), 7-12.i.1972 (collector ?), 1 ♀ [NMNW]; Karas Mountains, 14 km south on [road] 201 from [road] 26 (27.12S, 18.59E), 7.iii.1999 (F.W. and S. K. Gess), 1 ♂ (visiting yellow flowers of Geigeria pectidea (DC.) Harv., Asteraceae ) [AMGS]; G[rea]t Karas Mountains, xi.1936 (Mus. Staff), 13 ♀♀, 7 ♂♂ [SAMC]; Grünau [27.44S, 18.23E], 19.xi.1984 (F.J. Herbst), 2 ♀♀, 2 ♂♂ [AMGS]; W of Karasburg on road to Grünau (27.54S, 18.41E), 13.iii.1997 (F.W. and S.K. Gess), 3 ♀♀, 2 ♂♂ (on cream flowers of Gomphocarpus filiformis (E. Mey.) D. Dietr., Asclepiadaceae ) [AMGS]; Karasburg (28.00S, 18.45E), 13.iii.1997 (F.W. and S.K. Gess), 2 ♂♂ (1 ♂ on cream flowers of Gomphocarpus filiformis (E. Mey.) D. Dietr., Asclepiadaceae ; 1 ♂ on yellow flowers of Acacia karroo Hayne, Mimosaceae ) [AMGS]; Karasburg, 14.xii.1974 (Empey), 4 ♀♀ [AMGS]; same locality and collector, 5.i.1975, 4 ♀♀, 9.i.1975, 1 ♀, 10.xii.1983, 2 ♀♀, 2 ♂♂ [AMGS]; 30 km E of Karasburg on road from Ariamsvlei (28.00S, 19.03E), 12.iii.1997 (F.W. and S.K. Gess), 13 ♀♀, 1 ♂♂ (visiting yellow flowers of Geigeria sp., Asteraceae ) [AMGS]; 10 km NE [of] Rosh Pinah [?], 16.x.1972 (H.D. Brown, E. Koster, A. Prinsloo), 1 ♀ [AMGS]; 16 km S [of] Rosh Pinah (28.04S, 16.51E), 13.x.2000 (F.W. and S.K. Gess), 3 ♀♀, 2 ♂♂ (1 ♀ visiting white flowers of Aizoaceae : Mesembryanthema) [AMGS]; between Karasburg and Ariamsvlei (28.05S, 19.25E), 18.iv.1998 (F.W. and S.K. Gess), 2 ♀♀ (visiting yellow flowers of Geigeria pectidea (DC.) Harv., Asteraceae ) [AMGS]; Ortmansbaum 120, Warmbad (SE 2818 Bd) [28.21S, 18.41E], 18-21.x.1971 (collector ?), 1 ♂ [NMNW]; Gt. Fish R[iver], Aiais [Ais-Ais], S.W.A., xi.1936 (Mus. Staff), 1 ♀.[NMNW]. SOUTH AFRICA: NORTHERN CAPE: Richtersveld (2816BB) [circa 28.16S, 16.55E] at rd. Khubus-Ochta near Vyfsusters Mt., 7.x.1987 (M. Struck), 1 ♀, 1 ♂ [AMGS]; Pachtvlei, E [of] Alexander Bay (28.33S, 16.34E), 10.x.2000 (F.W. and S.K. Gess), 1 ♀ [AMGS]; 23 km N of Kakamas on road to Lutzputz [28.34S, 20.34E], 13.iii.1990 (F.W. and S.K. Gess), 1 ♀ [AMGS]; Augrabies Nat. Reserve [28.35S, 20.20E], 11.xii.1974 (Empey), 1 ♀ [AMGS]; Vioolsdrift, Namaqualand [28.46S, 17.38E], iii.1935 (Museum Staff), 3 ♂♂ [SAMC]; Goodhouse [28.55S, 18.13E], xi.1936 (Mus. Staff), 4 ♀♀, 3 ♂♂ [SAMC]. WESTERN CAPE:Prince Albert Dist., Tierberg (Study Site) (33.10S, 22.16E), 26.xi.-5.xii.1987 (F.W., S.K. and R.W. Gess), 19 ♀♀, 11 ♂♂ (9 ♀♀, 11 ♂♂, on flowers of Gomphocarpus filiformis (E. Mey.) D. Dietr., Asclepiadaceae ; 2 ♀♀ on flowers of Carissa haematocarpa (Eckl.) DC, Apocynaceae ); Prince Albert Dist., Tierberg [Study Site] (33.10S, 22.16E), 16.xi.1994 (F.W. and S.K. Gess), 4 ♀♀, 1 ♂ (on cream flowers of Gomphocarpus filiformis (E. Mey.) D. Dietr., Asclepiadaceae ); Prince Albert Dist., Tierberg (Res[earch Stat[ion]) (33.08S, 22.16E), 26.xi.-5.xii.1987 (F.W., S.K. and R.W. Gess), 7 ♀♀, (2 ♀♀ on flowers of Acacia karroo Hayne, Fabaceae , Mimosoideae ); Prince Albert Dist., Tierberg Farm (33.10S, 22.15E), 21.i.1996 (F.W. and S.K. Gess), 1 ♂ (visiting cream flowers of Gomphocarpus filiformis (E. Mey.) D. Dietr., Asclepiadaceae ) [AMGS]; Touwsrivier [33.20S, 20.02E], 9.i.1975 (Empey), 1 ♂ [AMGS]; Bushmans Riv[er], Letjiesbosch, Koup [32.34S, 22.16E], xi1935 (Mus.Staff), 1 ♂ [SAMC]; Letjiesbosch, Koup, iii.1937 (Mus. Staff, 3 ♀♀ [SAMC]; Merweville Dist[rict] [32.40S, 21.31E], ii.1941 (H. Zinn), 2 ♀♀ [SAMC]; Merweville Distr[ict], i-ii.1947 (H. Zinn), 117 ♀♀, 22 ♂♂ [SAMC]; Merweville Distr[ict], 8.ii.1978 (H. Zinn), 2 ♀♀ [SAMC]; Merweville, Laingsburg Distr[ict] [32.40S, 21.31E], i.1959 (H. Zinn), 21 ♀♀, 5 ♂♂ [SAMC]; Dikbome, Merweville, Koup [32.54S, 21.22E], i.1953 (H. Zinn), 41 ♀♀, 77 ♂♂ [SAMC]; Rooinek, Laingsburg Distr[ict] [33.20S, 20.52E], i.1949 (Zinn-Hesse Mus. Exp.), 1 ♂ [SAMC]; Spitzkop, Laingsburg Disr[rict] [33.30S, 20.35E], iii.1938 (Mus. Staff), 1 ♀, 1 ♂ [SAMC]; Thee Kloof [32.05S, 20.41E], Fraserburg Div[ision], xi.1935 (Mus.Staff), 1 ♀, 1 ♂ [SAMC]; Moordenaars Karoo, Laingsburg Div[ision] [circa 32.58S, 20.49E], iii.1937 (Mus. Staff), 1 ♀, 1 ♂ [SAMC]; Moordenaars Karoo, Laingsburg Div[ision], xi.1937 (Mus. Staff), 5 ♀♀, 1 ♂ [SAMC]; Beaufort West Dist[rict] [circa 32.18S, 22.36E], ii.1958 (S.A.M.), 9 ♀♀, 9 ♂♂ [SAMC]; Beaufort West, Oukloof [circa 32.18S, 22.36E], i.1949 (Zinn-Hesse Mus. Exp.), 2 ♀♀, 1 ♂ [SAMC]; Murraysburg Dist[rict][circa 31.58S, 23.47E], iii.1931 (Museum Staff), 3 ♀♀, 6 ♂♂ [SAMC]; Tankwa Karoo, Renoster Riv[er] [circa 32.16S, 20.05E], xi.1952 (Mus.Expd.), 1 ♂ [SAMC]; Gouph, Laingsburg Dist[rict] [circa 33.12S, 20.52E], ix.1937(Museum Staff), 1 ♀, 3 ♂♂ [SAMC]; Vogelfontein, Prince Albert Div[ision], iii-iv.1929 (A. J. Hesse), 4 ♀♀ [3 ♀♀ SAMC; 1 ♀ SAMC ex NMBZ]; Matjiesfontein, 14-27.xi.1928 (R.E. Turner), 1 ♂ [SAMC ex NMBZ]. EASTERN CAPE: Willowmore [33.15S, 23.30E], 5.iii.1902 (Brauns), 1 ♀ [SAMC ex NMBZ]; same locality and collector, 25.xii.1902 (Brauns), 1 ♀ [AMGS], 15.iii.1919 (Brauns), 1 ♂ [SAMC ex NMBZ], 20.i.1922, 1 ♀ [AMGS], no date, 1 ♂ [AMGS].

Geographical distribution.

Principally in western semi-arid to arid Namibia extending to the coast and southwards and eastwards through northern Namaqualand across the western and southeastern Nama-Karoo ( Fig. 14b ).

Floral associations.

Recorded from nine plant families: Boraginaceae ( Heliotropium sp. not tubulosum); Acanthaceae ( Monechma genistifolium (Engl.) C.B. Clarke); Amaranthaceae ( Hermbstaedtia sp.); Asteraceae ( Geigeria pectidea (DC.) Harv. and Geigeria sp. ( Asteraceae )); Aizoaceae (Mesembryanthema, Brownanthus kuntzei (Schinz) Ihlenf. & Bittrich, Psilocaulon salicornioides (Pax) Schwantes ( Aizoaceae : Mesembryanthema) and Psilocaulon glareosum (Berger) Dinter & Schwantes; non-Mesembryanthema, Galenia papulosa (Eckl. & Zeyh.) Sond.); Zygophyllaceae ( Tribulus sp. and Zygophyllum simplex L.); Apiaceae ( Deverra denudata (Viv.) Pfisterer & Podl.); Fabaceae ( Mimosoideae , Acacia sp.); Apocynaceae ( Carissa haematocarpa (Eckl.) DC; formerly Asclepiadaceae , Gomphocarpus filiformis (E. Mey.) D. Dietr.).

Nesting.

Unknown.

Prey.

Unknown.

Figures

Figure 13. Bembix spp.: a Bembix namibensis, female, male b Bembix ochracea, female, male c Bembix olivata, female, male d Bembix regnata, female, male e Bembix scaura, female, male f Bembix sibilans, female, male. (approximate lengths of females: a 20.5 mm; b 16.5 mm; c 15.5 mm; d 18 mm; e 20 mm; f 19.5 mm)

Figure 14. Distributions of collection records of Bembix spp.: a Bembix namibensis b Bembix ochracea c Bembix olivata d Bembix regnata e Bembix scaura f Bembix sibilans.