Bembix albata J. Parker, 1929

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 : 56-58

Bembix albata J. Parker Fig. 1a

Bembix albata J. Parker, 1929: 127, pl. 7, figs 85, 86, ♂, ♀ (Holotype, ♂, Lüderitz Bay, Namibia, in ZMHB); Lohrmann 1948: 449 (member of arnoldi species group); R. Bohart and Menke 1976: 545 (in checklist of world Sphecidae as Bembix abata ); Gess and Gess 2003: 121 (flower visiting records); Pulawski 2013: 2 (in catalogue of world Sphecidae sensu lato).

Bembex albata J. Parker, Arnold 1931: 216 (justification of synonymy with Bembex albopilosa ).

Bembex albopilosa Arnold, 1929: 378, figs 41, 41a-c, pl. 6, fig. 40, ♂ (Holotype, ♂, Klipfontein, South Africa, in SAMC and paratype, Swakopmund, Namibia, in SAMC) (in revision of southern African Sphecidae ); Arnold 1930: 21 (in checklist of Afrotropical Sphecidae ); Arnold 1931: 209 and 216 (synonymized with Bembix albata ); R. Bohart and Menke 1976: 545 (in checklist of world Sphecidae ).

Note.

Bembix albata was described by Parker from five males and three females from Lüderitzbucht, Namibia (formerly South West Africa) (xii.1903, L. Schultze). The synonym, Bembex albopilosa was described by Arnold from a male from Swakopmund (Namibia, and a male (holotype) from Klipfontein (L. Péringuey). The exact locality of this latter locality is unclear but is taken to be the place of this name in the vicinity of Hondeklip Bay, Namaqualand.

Material examined.

NAMIBIA: Carlowa’s Camp, Angra Fria (SE 1812 Aa) [= 18.00-18.15S, 12.00-12.15E], 14-16.xi.1970 (collector ?) (H1066), 16 ♀♀ [NMNW]; 4 km. N [of] Cape Cross (21.43S, 13.59E), 18.iii.2000, 3 ♀♀, 1 ♂ (visiting white flowers of Brownanthus kuntzei (Schinz )Ihlenf. & Bittrich, Aizoaceae : Mesembryanthema); NW of Cape Cross (21.44S, 13.59E), 14.iii.1999, 20 ♂♂ (visiting white flowers of Brownanthus kuntzei ); 113 km. N [of] Swakopmund (21.51S, 14.05E), 18.iii.2000, 1 ♀ (visiting white flowers of Brownanthus kuntzei ); 110 km. NW [of] Swakopmund (21.50S, 14.05E), 15.iii.1999, 1 ♀ (visiting white flowers of Psilocaulon salicornioides (Pax) Schwantes, Aizoaceae : Mesembryanthema); 53 km N [of] Swakopmund (22.16S, 14.23E), 19.111.2000, 5 ♀♀ (visiting white flowers of Brownanthus kuntzei ); 10 km N [of] Swakopmund at wireless mast (22.35S, 14.32E), 21.iii.1997, 10 ♀♀, 1 ♂ (4 ♀♀ visiting white flowers of Psilocaulon salicornioides ; 4 ♀♀ visiting white flowers of Brownanthus kuntzei ); same locality, 11.iv.1998, 4 ♀♀, 4 ♂♂ (visiting white flowers of Brownanthus kuntzei ); Swakopmund, Swakop R[iver] at bridge (22.42S, 14.32E), 16.iii.1999, 1 ♀, 3 ♂♂ (visiting white flowers of Zygophyllum stapffii Schinz, Zygophyllaceae ) - (all F.W. and S.K. Gess) [all AMGS]; Swakopmund [22.40S, 14.32E], vii.1931 (Bradfield), 1 ♂; same locality 21.xii.1977 (Empey), 2 ♀♀, 4 ♂♂; same locality, 17.xii.1978 (Empey), 1 ♀ [AMGS]; Swakopmund, 15.xi.1984 (F.J. Herbst), 1 ♀; Swakopmund, 16.xi.1984 (F.J. Herbst), 3 ♀♀, 1 ♂; Swakopmund, 28.ii.1966 [F. Herbst], 2 ♀♀ [AMGS]; Rooibank Desert Park [near Walvis Bay] [23.11S, 14.49E], 15.xii.1977 (Empey), 2 ♀♀, 2 ♂♂ [AMGS]; Silvia Hill, Lüderitz (SE 2514 Bb) [25.09S, 14.51E], 15-16.ix.1971 (collector ?) (H4131), 2 ♀♀; Agate Beach, Lüderitz (SE 2615 Ca) [26.36S, 15.11E], 21-x.1970) (collector ?) (H 1065), 2 ♂♂; Elizabeth Bay, Lüderitz (SE 2615 Cc) [26.55S, 15.11E], 1-2.iii.1972 (collector ?) (H7106), 18 ♀; [NMNW]; Lüderitzbucht [26.29S, 15.09E], 26.iii.1929 (Fr. Eberlanz), 1 ♂ [AMGS]; Lüderitz, Dias Point (26.39S, 15.05E), 29.ii.2000, 32 ♀♀ (visiting pink flowers of ? Brownanthus sp.); same locality, 1.iii.2000, 12 ♀♀ (11 ♀♀ visiting mounds of Zygophyllum clavatum Schltr. & Diels, Zygophyllaceae ; 1 ♀ visiting pink flowers of Brownanthus sp.); Kaukausib Spring - Gryllenthal, (26.58S, 15.31E), 5.ix.2002, 3 ♀♀ (hunting flies on Euphorbia sp. and resting on sand) (all F.W. and S.K. Gess) [all AMGS]; Bogenfels, Lüderitz (SE 2715 Ad) [= 27.46S, 15.39E], 28-29.ii.1972 (collector ?) (H7082), 1 ♀[NMNW]; E [of] Oranjemund, foot of Skilpad (28.28S, 16.40E), 23.ix.1997, 4 ♀♀ (visiting white flowers of ? Psilocaulon sp., Aizoaceae : Mesembryanthema); between Oranjemund and check point (28.34S, 16.28E), 26.ix.1997, 1 ♀; Oranjemund, fringes of golf course (28.37S, 16.27E), 22.xi.1997, 1 ♂ (visiting pale pink flowers of Drosanthemum sp., Aizoaceae : Mesembryanthema) - (all F.W. and S.K. Gess) [all AMGS]. NORTHERN CAPE: Grootderm [near Alexander Bay][28.36S, 16.40E], 10.xii.1949 (G. van Son) 2 ♂♂ [Dipsong]; Port Nolloth [29.15S, 16.52E], i.1922, 2 ♂♂ (W. Austen).

Geographical distribution.

This species appears to have a mainly coastal distribution ( Fig. 2a ). At present it is known only from Angra Fria in northern Namibia to Klipfontein near Hondeklip Bay, Namaqualand, South Africa, that is for over 12 degrees latitude and in excess of 1400 km of coastline. It is probable that its distribution may extend northwards into Angola. The only record slightly inland from the coast is that for the sandy Sperrgebiet (southern Namib Desert) at Kaukausib Spring, Gryllenthal.

Floral associations.

Recorded from two plant families: Aizoaceae (Mesembryanthema, Brownanthus kuntzei (Schinz) Ihlenf. & Bittrich, Psilocaulon salicornioides (Pax) Schwantes and Drosanthemum sp.); Zygophyllaceae ( Zygophyllum clavatum Schltr. & Diels and Zygophyllum stapffii Schinz).

Nesting.

Unknown but most likely nesting in the sandy hummocks. At localities along the coast, sampled by F. W. and S. K. Gess, the species was found principally associated with the sandy hummocks formed around Brownanthus , Psilocaulon and Zygophyllum clavatum and visiting the flowers of these plants.

Prey.

Three females were recorded hunting flies on Euphorbia sp. at Kaukausib Spring.

Figures

Figure 1. Bembix spp.: a Bembix albata, female, male b Bembix albicapilla, female c Bembix albofasciata, female, male d Bembix anomalipes, female, male e Bembix arnoldi, female, male f Bembix atrospinosa, female, male. (approximate lengths of females: a 21 mm; b 18.5 mm; c 17 mm; d 19.5 mm; e 17 mm; f 19.5 mm)

Figure 2. Distributions of collection records of Bembix spp.: a Bembix albata b Bembix albicapilla c Bembix albofasciata d Bembix anomalipes e Bembix arnoldi f Bembix atrospinosa.