Bembecinus rhodius DE BEAUMONT

Schmid, C., 2009, New records of Bembecinus COSTA 1859 (Hymenoptera, Crabronidae) from the Palaearctic region with description of a new species from Yemen, Linzer biologische Beiträge 41 (1), pp. 759-766 : 765

Bembecinus rhodius DE BEAUMONT

D i s t r i b u t i o n: Greece, Western Turkey.

R e m a r k: The female of B. rhodius from Kreta is different from specimens from other origins. It is markedly lemmon yellow, tergum VI has a large yellow spot, and body size is 12 mm. Females from eastern Greece Islands and Turkey differ in body size (9-11 mm) and in color (pale yellow, color less extended, tergum II black). With the key of Schmid-Egger (2004), they key out with B. anatolicus DE BEAUMONT (key nr. 41.). In direct comparisation, clypeus of B. rhodius is somewhat longer than in B. anatolicus , but it is not sure weather this character is confirmed. I could only examine one ‘true’ female from Karpathos. Remaining females may confused with B. anatolicus , and distribution pattern of both species overlap in Western Turkey and the Aegaian Islands. So for the moment, distinction of B. anatolicus and B. rhodius female Turkey is not possible.

R e c o r d s: Greece: 3 2♀♀ 8.6.2004 Karpathos, Amopi ( OLL) - Turkey: 333 Mansissa , 15 km SE Salihi 38’26’N 28’19’E ( OLL) - 433 16.7.2008 NE Isparta, University campus .; ♀ 19.7.2008 Isparta, Yukari Gökdere Vill. (Ljubomirov) .