Bembix melanopa 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 : 84-89

Bembix melanopa Handlirsch Fig. 11d

Bembex melanopa Handlirsch, 1893: 797, pl. 2, fig. 10, pl. 7, fig. 7, ♂, ♀ (Syntypes, Mozambique, Delagoa Bay [Maputo], in ZMHB; Natal [KwaZulu-Natal], South Africa, in MHNG); Bingham 1902: 211 (South Africa and Malawi); Dalla Torre 1897: 508 (in catalog of world Hymenoptera ); Kohl 1906: 212 (Socotra Island, Yemen); Arnold 1929: 354, figs 21, 21a-c, pl. 6, figs 16, 17, ♂, ♀ (in revision of southern African Bembix ); Arnold 1930: 21 (in checklist of Afrotropical Sphecidae ).

Bembix melanopa Handlirsch & Parker, 1929: 115 (in revision of Stizini and Bembicini ); Cuthbertson 1939: 1 (prey and nest parasite, Craticulina tabaniformis (Fabricius), Sarcophagidae ); 115; Lohrmann 1939: 142 (member of melanopa group); Ulleyt and De Vries 1940 (prey); Guiglia 1943: 75 (Ethiopia); 1950: 239 (Ethiopia); Leclercq 1955: 407 (Rwanda); R. Bohart and Menke 1976: 547 (in checklist of world Sphecidae ); Gess 1981: 21 (nesting and prey); Gess 1986: 153-154, 158 (plants visited, nesting and prey); Gess and Gess 1988: 246-247, Fig. 14.19 (habitus, habitat); Gess and Gess 1998: 351, Fig. 22.18, 22.13 (habitus, habitat); Gess and Gess 2003: 124 (flower visiting records); Pulawski 2013: 46 (in catalogue of world Sphecidae sensu lato).

Material examined.

KENYA: Malindi, Casuarina Point (03.14S, 40.00E), 7-20.i.1987 (A.J. Weaving), 2 ♀♀ [AMGS]; Malindi (03.14S, 40.06E), 25.x.- 16.xi.1989 (A. Weaving), 1 ♀ [AMGS]. MALAWI: Salima Bay [13.47S, 34.26E], Lake Nyasa, 5.xi.1943 (Nat. Museum S. Rhodesia), 1 ♀ [SAMC ex NMBZ]. ZIMBABWE (SOUTHERN RHODE SIA): Chigudu Farm, Myurwi (1630DD) [16.58S, 30.55E], 14.i.1985 (A.J. Weaving), 1 ♀ [AMGS]; T[relawney] R[esearch] S[tation], Harare [17.32S, 30.28E], 21.xii.1953 (N.J. Myers), 1 ♀; same locality and collector, 6.i. 1954, 1 ♀, 22.i. 1954, 1 ♀, 2 ♂♂ [AMGS]; S[alis]b[ur]y [17.48S, 31.03E], i.1954 (D. Evans), 1 ♀ [AMGS]; Lake McIlwaine, Salisbury [17.55S, 30.46E], 26.xii.1953 (A.D. Caley), 1 ♀ [AMGS]; Sanyati Valley [17.58S, 29.17E], ix-x.1925 (R.H.R. Stevenson), 1 ♂ [SAMC ex NMBZ]; Inyanga [18.16S, 32.43E], xii.1920 (Rhodesia Museum), 1 ♂ [SAMC ex NMBZ]; Dett [18.37S, 26.50E], 21.xi.1930 (Rhodesia Museum), 1♀ [AMGS]; Gwaai [= Gwai] [19.17S, 27.43E], 14.x.1926 (R.H.R. Stevenson), 1 ♀ [SAMC ex NMBZ]; Sawmills [19.35S, 28.02E], 10.xi.1920 (Rhodesia Museum), 1 ♂ [AMGS]; same locality, 1.iv.1923 (Roy Stevenson), 1 ♂ [AMGS], 14.xi.1924 (R.H.R. Stevenson), 1 ♂, [AMGS], 21.iii.1937 (collector ?), 1 ♀ [SAMC ex NMBZ]; Umguza R[iver] [19.42S, 28.25E], 24.v.1923 (Swinburne and Stevenson), 1 ♂ [SAMC ex NMBZ]; Bulawayo [20.07S, 28.32E], 28.iii.1923 (R. Stevenson), 1 ♀ [AMGS]; same locality and collector, 29.x.1923, 1 ♀ [AMGS]; Khami [20.15S, 28.28E], 28.x.1928 (Rhodesia Museum), 1 ♀ [SAMC ex NMBZ]; Matopos [20.35S, 28.30E], 11.xi.1924 (Rhodesia Museum), 1 ♀ [SAMC ex NMBZ]. LESOTHO: Mamathes, ii.1940 [29.08S, 27.51E], 1 ♀ [AMGS]. SOUTH AFRICA: NORTH WEST PROVINCE: Vryburg [26.55S, 24.45E], 29.ii.1980 (Empey), 1 ♀ [AMGS]; Schweitzer-Reneke [27.11S, 25.18E], 27.ii.1979 (F. Herbst), 2 ♀♀ [AMGS]; Buffelspoort Dam, Western Transvaal [25.47S, 27.29E], 7.xii.1968 (F.J. Herbst), 1 ♀, 1 ♂ [AMGS]; Buffelspoort Dam, Western Transvaal [25.46S, 27.29E], 27.xii.1970 (Empey), 1 ♀, 5 ♂♂ [AMGS]; Buffelspoort Dam, 7.i.199 (F.J. Herbst), 1 ♂ [AMGS]. LIMPOPO. Messina [now Musina] [22.20S, 30.05E], 17.vii.1962 (Empey), 1 ♂[AMGS]; Sabie Riv. Bung. [circa 25.10S, 30.48E], 30.xii.1962 (Empey), 1 ♀, 3 ♂♂ [AMGS]; Afguns, Ellisras [now Lephalale] Distr. [23.50S, 27.41E], Nylstroom [now Modimolle ] [24.42S, 28.22E], 16-31.xii.1921 (G.P.F.v. ?); Ellisras [now Lephalale] [23.40S, 27.46E], 17.xi.1962 (Empey), 1 ♀, 1 ♂ [AMGS]; Ellisras [now Lephalale] [23.40S, 27.46E], 24.xii.1973 (Empey), 2 ♀♀ [AMGS]; Afguns, Ellisras [now Lephalale] Distr. [23.50S, 27.41E], 3.iv.1972 (Empey), 2 ♂♂[AMGS]; Hope, Ellisras [now Lephalale] [23.40S, 27.45E], 11.xi.1967 (F.J. Herbst), 1 ♀ [AMGS]; Hope, Ellisras [now Lephalale], 3.iv.1972 (Empey), 1 ♂ [AMGS]; NW [of] Ellisras [now Lephalale] [circa 23.40S, 27.46E], 17.xi.1962 (Empey), 3 ♂♂ [AMGS]; Rust de Winter [25.12S, 28.37E], 8.ii.1975 (Empey), 1 ♀, 1 ♂ [AMGS]; Naboomspruit [24.32S, 28.40E], 8.i.1964 (Empey), 1 ♂ [AMGS]. MPUMALANGA: Komatipoort [25.25S, 31.55E], 11.x.1971 (E. Holm), 1 ♀ (Malaise trap) [AMGS]. GAUTENG: Pretoria North sandpits [25.44S, 28.07E], 26.x.1947 (C. Jacot-Guillarmod), 3 ♀♀, 5 ♂♂ (1 ♀, 5 ♂♂ with pollinia of Asclepiadaceae on claws); Pretoria North [25.40S, 28.10E], 29. xi. 1964 (Empey), 1 ♀; Johannesburg West [26.13S, 28.02E], 11.i.1959 (Empey), 1 ♀; Benoni [26.11S, 28.18E], 17.xii.1962 (Empey), 2 ♀♀, 4 ♂♂; Randburg [26.04S, 27.58E], 17.xii.1962 (Empey), 1 ♂; Florida [26.11S, 27.55E], 14.ii.1959 [Herbst], 1 ♀; Strubens Valley, Florida [26.31S, 29.57], 17.ii.1962 (Empey), 1 ♀, 1 ♂; Florida Hills [26.10S, 27.56E], 19.iii.1960 (Empey), 4 ♀♀; Florida Hills, 10.iii.1961 (Empey), 2 ♀♀; Florida Hills, 2.iv.1961 (Empey), 1 ♀; Olifantsfontein [25.58S, 28.14E], 3.i.1970 (Empey), 1 ♀. KWAZULU-NATAL: Ndumu Game Reserve Rest Camp (2632Cd) [26.04S, 32.26E] (95m), 23-29.xi.1977 (Brothers and Guillarmod), 1 ♀; Lake Sibaya [27.23S, 32.41E], 13-25.iii.1968 (D.J. Brothers), 1 ♀ 3 ♂♂; Lake Sibaya (27.23S, 32.41E), 4-8.ii.1991 (A. Weaving), 3 ♀♀, 1 ♂; Mkuze Reserve (2732 Cb) [circa 27.39S, 32.15E], 3-11.x.1977 (J.G.H. Londt), 1 ♀; Mkuze Game Reserve, 1-2. iv.1984 (A.J. Weaving), 1 ♀; False Bay, [Lake St Lucia] (27.56S, 32.23E), 24.ii-4.iii.1990 (A. Weaving), 2 ♂♂; False Bay, Lake St Lucia, 2-21.ii.1991 (A. Weaving), 1 ♀, 2 ♂♂; same locality, 27.i.-2.ii.93 (A. Weaving), 2 ♀♀; Fanies Is[land], [Lake St Lucia] (28.06S, 32.26E), parkland, 16-19.iii.1990 (A. Weaving), 2 ♂♂; same locality, 20-24.ii.1990 (A. Weaving), 1 ♀; Fanies Isl[and], Lake St Lucia, 30.i-2.ii.1991 (A. Weaving), 1 ♀; Umfolosi R. Bridge, 7 km SW Mtubatuba [28.27S, 32.09E], 1.xii.1977 (Brothers & Guillarmod), 2 ♂♂; Mfongosi [28.43S, 30.48E], 3.iii.1914 (W.E. Jones), 1 ♂; Richardsbaai [28.48S, 32.06E], 15.ii.1972 (A. Prinsloo), 1 ♀; Umhloti [29.39S, 31.07E], 5.x.1947 (C. Jacot-Guillarmod), 1 ♂; Umhlanga [29.43S, 31.06E], iv.1941 (Nat. Museum S. Rhodesia), 1 ♀; [AMGS], 1 ♂ [SAMC]; Mayville, Durban [29.51S, 30.59E], 14.x.1972 (F. Herbst), 2 ♂♂; same locality, 12.xi.1972 (F. Herbst), 1 ♂; Manor Gardens, Durban [29.53S, 31.03E], 5.xi.1968 (F.J. Herbst), 2 ♀♀; Hillary, Durban [29.53S, 30.57E], no date [F. Herbst], 1 ♀, 1 ♂; Umbilo, Durban [29.54S, 30.59E], 8.iv.1952 (C. Jacot-Guillarmod), 1 ♂; same locality, 19.x.1955 (C. Jacot-Guillarmod), 1 ♂; Stainbank N[ature] Reserve, Durban [29.55S, 30.57E], i.1975 (F. Herbst), 1 ♂; Point, Durban [29.55S, 31.01E], 5.xi.1972 (F.J. Herbst), 1 ♀; Isipingo [30.00S, 30.57E], 5.ii.1976 (D.J. Brothers), 2 ♀♀; 2 km S [of] Isipingo, 18.xii.1975 (D.J. Brothers), 5 ♀♀; Amanzimtoti [30.02S, 30.58E], 15.iii.70 (F.J. Herbst), 1 ♀; Widenham [30.13S, 30.48E], 4.iv.1982 (A. Weaving), 2 ♀♀; same locality, 7.iv.1982 (A. Weaving), 1 ♀, 25.iii.1984 (A. Weaving), 1 ♀, 2 ♂♂, 7-8.iv.1984 (A. Weaving), 2 ♀♀, 27.ii.-1.iii.1985 (A. Weaving), 1 ♂; Scottburgh [30.15S, 30.47E], 11.xi.1972 (F. Herbst), 1 ♀; Umtentwini [30.42S, 30.28E], 20.iv.1973 (Empey), 6 ♂♂; Port Shepstone [30.44S, 30.28E], 15.ii.1972 (Empey), 1 ♀; St. Michaels [30.50S, 30.23E], 14.i.1953 (E.McC. Callan), 2 ♀♀, 1 ♂ [all AMGS unless otherwise indicated]. EASTERN CAPE: Middelburg [31.30S, 25.00E], 3.ii.1957 (E.McC. Callan), 2 ♀♀ [AMGS]; Port St. Johns [31.38S, 29.33E], iii.1967 (F.W. and S.K. Gess), 2 ♀♀, 5 ♂♂ [SAMC]; Morgan’s Bay [32.42S, 28.20E], 30.iii. - 4.iv.1989 (F.W. and S.K. Gess), 1 ♀; Fort Beaufort [32.46S, 26.40E], 20.i.1960 (C. Jacot-Guillarmod), 3 ♀♀, 1 ♂ (1 ♀ with prey: Muscidae , Diptera ); East London [33.00S, 27.55E], 10.xii.1975 (F.J. Herbst), 2 ♂♂; Carlisle Bridge [33.05S, 26.14E], 14.i.1961 (Empey), 1 ♀, 3 ♂♂; Gxulu River, E[ast L[ondon] [33.07S, 22.44E], 15.xii.1970 (F.W. Gess), 2 ♀♀; Kransdrift, Grahamstown [33.09S, 26.32E], 8.ii.1981 (D.W. Gess), 1 ♀; Willowmore [33.15S, 23.30E], i.1922? (Brauns), 1 ♂; Alicedale [33.15S, 26.04E], 2.xii.1970 (F.W. Gess], 1 ♀; Hilton, Grahamstown [33.15S, 26.20E], 2.xii.1977 (D.W. Gess), 1 ♀; same locality, 20.xii.1977 (D.W. Gess), 2 ♀♀, 2.i.1978 (D.W. Gess), 2 ♀♀, 1 ♂, (R.W. Gess), 1 ♀, 10.i.1978 (D.W Gess), 1 ♂, 12.i.1978 (D.W. Gess), 1 ♀, 13.i.1978 (D.W. Gess), 2 ♀♀, (F.W. Gess), 1 ♂, 17.i.1978 (D.W. Gess), 1 ♀, 18.i.1978 (D.W. Gess), 1 ♂, 24.i.1978 (D.W. Gess), 1 ♂, 9.ii.1978 (F.W. Gess), 1 ♂, 16.ii.1978 (F.W. Gess), 1 ♀; Grahamstown [33.19S, 26.31E], 8.viii.1957 (A.M. Bennett), 1 ♂; Belmont Valley, Grahamstown [33.19S, 26.35E], 17-25.i.1970 (J.G.H. Londt), 1 ♀ (on flowering Foeniculum vulgare Mill., Apiaceae ); same locality, 20.i.1970 (F.W. Gess), 1 ♀ (on flowering Foeniculum vulgare ); same locality, 23.i.1970 (F.W. Gess), 1 ♂ (on flowering Foeniculum vulgare ); Riet River Mouth, near Port Alfred [33.33S, 27.01E], 19. ii.1978 (D.W. Gess), 1 ♂; same locality, 5. iii.1972 (F.W. Gess), 1 ♀; same locality, 28.i.1973 (F.W. Gess), 3 ♂♂; same locality, 4.iii.1973 (F.W. Gess), 2 ♀♀; Port Alfred [33.36S, 26.55E], 5.iv.1958 (E.McC. Callan), 1 ♀; same locality, 27.iv.1958 (E.McC. Callan), 1 ♀; Salt Vlei, Port Alfred [33.37S, 26.52E], 31.i.1960 (E.McC. Callan), 1 ♀; same locality, 16-17.iv.1979 (E.McC. Callan), 2 ♀♀; 5 km N of Alexandria on road to Salem [33.37S, 26.24E], 16.i.1984 (D.W. Gess), 2 ♀♀ (on flowering Foeniculum vulgare ); Kasouga Dunes [33.39S, 26.44E], xii.[19]54 (Cooke), 1 ♂; Cannonvale (33.40S, 25.47E), 18.xii.1987 (A.J. Weaving), 1 ♂; Alexandria Forest [33.41S, 26.23E], 16.i.1981 (F.W. Gess), 1 ♂; Kenton-on-Sea [33.42S, 26.38E], 21.xii.1979 (Empey), 1 ♀, 4 ♂♂; Boknes (33.43S, 26.35E), 9.i.1986 (F.W., D.W. and R.W. Gess), 3 ♀♀; Alexandria Forest to Cannon Rocks, sandbank on roadside [33.45S, 26.24E], 16.i.1984 (F.W. Gess), 1 ♀ [all AMGS]. WESTERN CAPE: Natures Valley, Tsitsikama Forest [33.59S, 23.34E], 28.xii.1966 (A Jacot-Guillarmod), 1 ♂; Natures Valley, Tsitsikama Forest [33.59S, 23.34E], 28.xii.1966 (C. Jacot-Guillarmod), 4 ♀♀ (1 ♀ with prey: Philoliche (Phara) flavipes (Macq.) 1 ♀, Tabanidae ); Knysna, Leisure Island Beach (34.02S, 23.03E), 14.xii.1980 (P.M. Croeser), 1 ♂; 7 km S [of] Swellendam, Bontebok National P[ar]k (3420Ab) [34.04S, 20.27E], 9.iii.1979 (L. Braak),1 ♀ ("ex Springbok carcass") [undoubtedly hunting flies at the carcass -FWG]; Bloutoring (33.29S, 20.19E), 3.xii.1986 (S.K. Gess), 1 ♂ (on flowers of white “mesem“, Aizoaceae , Mesembryanthema).

Geographical distribution.

A widespread species known from Kenya south to the southern Eastern Cape. Coming down to the coastal dunes but not restricted to the coast ( Fig. 12d ).

Floral associations.

Recorded from four plant families: Apiaceae ( Foeniculum vulgare Mill.); Apocynaceae (formerly Asclepiadaceae ); Asteraceae ( Athanasia trifurcata (L.) L.); and Aizoaceae (Mesembryanthema, “mesem”).

Nesting.

Three nests recorded at Hilton, near Grahamstown, Eastern Cape - all single celled, sloping burrows in sloping friable soil, the main shaft ended in a spur.

Prey.

Recorded taking seven families of Diptera : Tabanidae , Bombyliidae , Syrphidae , Muscidae , Calliphoridae , Sarcophagidae , and Tachinidae .

Figures

Figure 11. Bembix species: a Bembix karroensis, female, male b Bembix liturita, female, male c Bembix loupata, male d Bembix melanopa, female, male e Bembix moebii, female, male f Bembix monedula, female, male. (approximate lengths of - females: a 15.5 mm; b 16 mm; d 15.5 mm; e 21 mm; f 24 mm - male: c 15 mm)

Figure 12. Distributions of collection records of Bembix spp.: a Bembix karroensis b Bembix liturata c Bembix loupata d Bembix melanopa e Bembix moebii f Bembix monedula.