Bembix karrooensis Gess

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 : 81-82

Bembix karrooensis Gess Fig. 11a

Bembix karrooensis Gess, 1986: 144, figs 20-24, ♂,♀ (Holotype, ♂, South Africa, Laingsburg Disrict, Merweville, in SAMC); Gess and Gess 2003: 124 (flower visiting records); Pulawski 2013: 38 (in catalogue of world Sphecidae sensu lato).

Material examined.

NAMIBIA: Two Palms, Uniab River (19.53S, 13.54E), 27.iii.2004 (F.W. and S.K. Gess), 1 ♀, 1 ♂ (at water) [AMGS]; same locality, 28.iii.2004 (F.W. and S.K. Gess), 1 ♀ (visiting white flowers [of] Boerhavia hereroensis Heimerl., Nyctaginaceae ) [AMGS]; road D2344 WNW [of] Omatjete (20.57S, 15.14E), 15.iii.2004 (F.W. and S.K. Gess), 1 ♀; Barby 26, Bethanie (SE2516DC) [25.51S, 16.33E], 2-7.x.1972 (collector ?) (F9244), 1 paratype ♂ [NMNW]; 36 km on [road] C13 from Helmeringhausen (26.05S, 16.38E), 9.iii.1999 (F.W. and S.K. Gess), 1 ♀, 1 ♂ (both visiting yellow flowers of Deverra denudata (Viv.) Pfisterer & Podl., Apiaceae ) [AMGS]; 18 km from Ariamsvlei on road to Aroab [circa 28.00S, 19.43E], 14.v.1973 (C.F. Jacot-Guillarmod), 1 Paratype ♀ [AMGS]. SOUTH AFRICA: NORTHERN CAPE: on road to Richtersveld National Park bet[ween] Annis and Dabie rivers (28.20S, 16.55E), 20.ix.1997 (F.W. and S.K. Gess), 1 ♀, 5 ♂♂ (4 ♂♂, of which 1 stylopized, visiting deep pink flowers of Hermbstaedtia glauca (Wendl.) Reichb. ex Steud., Amaranthaceae ) [AMGS]. WESTERN CAPE: Merweville Distr[ict] [32.40S, 21.31], ii.1948 (H. Zinn), 1 paratype ♂ [SAMC]; Dikbome, Merweville, Koup [32.54S, 21.22E], x.1952 (Mus. Exped.), 2 paratype ♂♂ [AMGS]; Merweville, Laingsburg Distri[ct], i.1959 (H. Zinn), Holotype ♂, 1 paratype ♀ [SAMC]; Prince Albert Dist., Tierberg (Study Site) (33.10S, 22.16E), 16.xi.1994 (F.W. and S.K. Gess), 1 ♂ (claws bearing pollinia of Gomphocarpus filiformis (E. Mey.) D. Dietr., Asclepiadaceae ) [AMGS].

Geographical distribution.

The Nama-Karoo of the Northern Cape and Namibia ( Fig. 12a ).

Floral associations.

Recorded from four plant families: Amaranthaceae ( Hermbstaedtia glauca (Wendl.) Reichb. ex Steud.); Apiaceae ( Deverra denudata (Viv.) Pfisterer & Podl. ); Apocynaceae (formerly Asclepiadaceae , Gomphocarpus filiformis (E. Mey.) D. Dietr.; Nyctaginaceae ( Boerhavia hereroensis Heimerl.).

Nesting.

Unknown.

Prey.

Unknown.

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.