Bembix afra 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 : 55-56

Bembix afra Handlirsch

Bembex afra Handlirsch, 1893: 740, pl. 1, fig. 20, ♂ (Holotype, ♂, no locality, South Africa, in SMNS); Handlirsch 1895: 1002 (Cape Province); Dalla Torre 1897: 502 (in catalogue of world Hymenoptera ); Arnold 1929: 342, figs 11, 11a, 11b, pl. 6, fig. 6, ♂ (in revision of southern African Sphecidae ); 1930: 21 (in checklist of Afrotropical Sphecidae ).

Bembix afra Handlirsch, R. Bohart and Menke 1976: 545 (in checklist of world Sphecidae ); Pulawski 2013: 2 (in catalogue of world Sphecidae sensu lato).

Material examined.

SOUTH AFRICA: Melboschstrand (sic), 7.iv.1947 (Nat. Museum S. Rhodesia), ♂; Modderfontein, 15.ii.1925 (Brauns), ♂ [SAMC ex NMBZ].

“Melboschstrand” probably meant to be Melkboschstrand, now Melkbosstrand, on the southwest coast.

" Modderfontein" could be one of any of the following Modderfonteins near: Kamiesberg, Carnarvon, Britstown, De Aar, Aliwal North, Wuppertal, Sutherland, Merveville or Cape Town.

Additional records extracted from database of specimens in collection of SAMC.

ZIMBABWE: Rua, 15.xii.1975 (A.J.S. Weaving), sex not given, determiner not given. SOUTH AFRICA: Western Cape: Hex River [32.24S, 19.46E], 1.i.1884 (collector not given), sex not given, determiner J.C. Bridwell; Hex River, 1.xi.1885 (collector not given), sex not given, determiner not given.

Geographical distribution.

It would appear from the few records available that this species is present in the Western Cape, South Africa. The accuracy of the determination of the single specimen from Zimbabwe has not been determined.

Floral associations.

Unknown.

Nesting.

Unknown.

Prey.

Unknown.