Geographical distributions of Bembix (Hymenoptera, Crabronidae, Bembicinae) in southern Africa, with notes on biology Author Gess, Friedrich W. Albany Museum and Rhodes University, Grahamstown, 6139 South Africa Author Gess, Sarah K. Albany Museum and Rhodes University, Grahamstown, 6139 South Africa text Journal of Hymenoptera Research 2014 2014-02-14 36 53 130 http://dx.doi.org/10.3897/jhr.36.6491 journal article http://dx.doi.org/10.3897/jhr.36.6491 1314-2607-36-53 FFBD95640232FFFEFFBCFFC3D21A8E1E 574835 Bembix namibensis Gess Fig. 13a Bembix namibensis Gess 1986 : 138, figs 1-8, male (Holotype, ♂, Namibia, Namib Plain, 15 m[iles] E.[of] Natab, in AMGS); Gess and Gess 2003 : 124 (flower visiting records); Pulawski 2013 : 50 (in catalogue of world Sphecidae sensu lato). Female. (hitherto undescribed): Generally very similar to male in puncturation and setation but differing in coloration in that: streak on mesonotum flanking tegula is more pronounced ; mesopleuron, metapleuron and side of propodeum are almost completely yellow; the bands margining scutellum and metanotum are wider and a V-shaped band is present on the dorsum and declivity of the propodeum. Fore tarsus unmodified; sand rake composed of nine long, stiff spines on first tarsomere, two on the second and third tarsomeres and one on the fourth; antennae unmodified (as in male with first flagellomere slightly more than twice length of second). Length: 23 mm; length of front wing 13 mm; hamuli circa 33. Figure 13. Bembix spp.: a Bembix namibensis , female, male b Bembix ochracea , female, male c Bembix olivata , female, male d Bembix regnata , female, male e Bembix scaura , female, male f Bembix sibilans , female, male. (approximate lengths of females: a 20.5 mm; b 16.5 mm; c 15.5 mm; d 18 mm; e 20 mm; f 19.5 mm) Material examined. NAMIBIA: near Two Palms, Uniab River ( 19.53S , 13.54E ), 27 & 28.iii.1994, 4 ♂♂ (visiting yellow flowers of Hirpicium gazanioides (Harv. Roessler, Asteraceae ); circa 17km W [of] Khorixas ( 20.28S , 14.51E ), 16.iii.2004, 1 ♂ (visiting pink flowers of Hermbstaedtia sp., Amaranthaceae ); Uis to Omaruru ( 21.14S , 15.00E ), 14.iii.2004, 5 ♂♂ (visiting white flowers of Heliotropium tuberosum E. Mey. ex Benth., Boraginaceae ); 24 km SW [of] Usakos ( 22.02S , 15.17E ), 22.iii.1997, 1 ♀ (visiting blue/violet flowers of Blepharis obmitrata C. B. Cl., Acanthaceae ); SW [of] Gibeon, 41 km on [road] 1089 ( 25.20S , 17.29E ), 8.iii.1999, 1 ♂ (visiting yellow flowers of Tribulus sp., Zygophyllaceae ); 32 km SW [of] Helmeringhausen ( 26.06S , 16.36E ), 15.iii.1997, 1 ♂ (visiting white flowers of Psilocaulon glareosum (Berger) Dinter & Schwantes, Aizoaceae : Mesembryanthema) - (all F.W. and S.K. Gess) [all AMGS]; Namib Plain, 15 m[iles] E.[of] Natab [circa 23.36S , 15.05E ], 29.iv.1969 (H.D. Brown), holotype ♂, paratype ♂ [AMGS]; Awasib Mains, Diamond Area No. 2 [ 25.18S , 15.39E ], 14.v.1969 (H.D. Brown), paratype ♂ [SANC]. Geographical distribution. At the time of description the provenance of the limited material was from the south-western Namib, suggesting that it might be limited to that region. The records now available indicate a much more extensive distribution in the desertic to semi-desertic western parts of Namibia ( Fig. 14a ). Figure 14. Distributions of collection records of Bembix spp.: a Bembix namibensis b Bembix ochracea c Bembix olivata d Bembix regnata e Bembix scaura f Bembix sibilans . Floral associations. Recorded from six plant families: Acanthaceae ( Blepharis obmitrata C. B. Cl.); Aizoaceae (Mesembryanthema, Psilocaulon glareosum (Berger) Dinter & Schwantes); Amaranthaceae ( Hermbstaedtia sp.); Asteraceae ( Hirpicium gazanioides (Harv.) Roessler; Boraginaceae ( Heliotropium tuberosum E. Mey. ex Benth.); Zygopyllaceae ( Tribulus pterophorus Persl.). Nesting. Unknown. Prey. Unknown.