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 ochracea Handlirsch Fig. 13b Bembex ochracea Handlirsch, 1893: 864, pl. 3, fig. 10, ♂ (Holotype, ♂, South Africa, former Transvaal, no locality, in MHNG); Dalla Torre 1897 : 509 (in catalogue of world Hymenoptera ); Bingham 1902 : 211 (South Africa); Arnold 1929 : 386, figs 33, 33a-c, pl. 6, fig. 25, ♂, ♀ (in revision of southern African Sphecidae ); Arnold 1930 : 21 (in checklist of Afrotropical Sphecidae ). Bembix ochracea Handlirsch & Parker, 1929: 118, pl. 11, figs 146-148, ♂ (in revision of Stizini and Bembicini ); R. Bohart and Menke 1976 : 546 (in checklist of world Sphecidae ); Gess and Gess 2003 : 124 (flower visiting records); Pulawski 2013 : 53 (in catalogue of world Sphecidae sensu lato). Bembex opima Turner, 1917a: 440, ♂, ♀ (Syntypes, South Africa, Eastern Cape, Willowmore, in BMNH); Arnold 1929 , synonymised with Bembix ochracea (in revision of southern African Sphecidae ); R. Bohart and Menke 1976 : 548 (in checklist of world Sphecidae ). Note. Bembix ochracea Handlirsch was described from a single damaged specimen "aus Transvaal". Parker referred to a specimen from "Cap" , while Arnold recorded it from Willowmore. Bembix opima Turner, sunk into synonymy by Arnold, was described from Willowmore (January and February, Dr. H. Brauns). Material examined. NAMIBIA: Otjinungwa (SE 1712 Ab) [= 17.17S , 12.26E ], 17-22.xi.1970 (collector?), 2 ♀♀ [NMNW]; Marienfluss, 4-8 km S [of] Otjinungwa (SE 1712 Ac) [ 17.20S , 12.25E ], 21-22.xi.1970 (collector?), 1 ♀, 1 ♂ [NMNW]; near Two Palms, Uniab River ( 19.53S , 13.54E ), 28.iii.2004 (F.W. and S.K. Gess), 1 ♂ (visiting white flowers of Heliotropium sp. not tubulosum , Boraginaceae ) [AMGS]; circa 17 km W [of] Khorixas ( 20.28S , 14.51E ), 16.iii.2004 (F.W. and S.K. Gess), 3 ♂♂ (2 ♂♂ visiting pink flowers of Hermbstaedtia sp., Amaranthaceae , 1 ♂visiting yellow flowers of Geigeria sp., Asteraceae ) [AMGS]; Uis to Khorixas ( 20.54S , 15.05E ), 15.iii.2004 (F.W. and S.K. Gess), 1 ♀ [AMGS]; Uis to Omaruru ( 21.14S , 15.00E ), 14.iii.2004 (F.W. and S.K. Gess), 7 ♀♀ [AMGS]; Uis to Henties Bay ( 21.26S , 14.45E ), 18.iv.2002, (F.W. and S.K. Gess), 2 ♀♀ [AMGS]; Uis/Henties Bay ( 21.27S , 14.45E ), 17.iv.2002 (F.W. and S.K. Gess), 5 ♀♀ (1 ♀ visiting violet flowers of Monechma genistifolium (Engl.) C.B. Clarke, Acanthaceae ) [AMGS]; 81 km on road from coast to Uis Mine ( 21.32S , 14.43E ), 17.iii.2000 (F.W. and S.K. Gess), 1 ♂ [AMGS]; NW of Cape Cross ( 21.44S , 13.59E ), 14.iii.1999 (F.W. and S.K. Gess), 1 ♀, 2 ♂♂ visiting white flowers of Brownanthus kuntzei (Schinz) Ihlenf. & Bittrich, Aizoaceae : Mesembryanthema) [AMGS]; 110 km NW of Swakopmund (21.50S, 14.05F), 15.iii.1999 (F.W. and S.K. Gess), 1 ♀ (visiting yellow flowers of Galenia papulosa (Eckl. & Zeyh.) Sond., Aizoaceae : non-Mesembryanthema) [AMGS]; Henties Bay to Usakos via Spitzkoppen ( 21.54S , 14.58E ), 19.iv.2002 (F.W. and S. K. Gess), 1 ♀ [AMGS]; 15 km W of Karibib on road to Usakos ( 21.56S , 15.42E ), 5.iv.1998 (F.W. and S.K. Gess), 8 ♀♀, 1 ♂♂ (1 ♀ visiting deep pink flowers of Hermbstaedtia sp., Acanthaceae ; 1 ♂ visiting violet flowers of Monechma genistifolium (Engl.) C.B. Cl., Acanthaceae ) [AMGS]; 10 km W of Usakos, Swakopmund r[oa]d ( 21.59S , 15.30E ), 13.iii.2004 (F.W. and S.K. Gess), 1 ♀[AMGS]; Okahandja [ 21.59S , 16.55E ], 27.xii.1977 (Empey), 1 ♀ [AMGS]; Swakopmund 117 km on road to Usakos ( 22.02S , 15.17E ), 16.iii.2000 (F.W. and S.K. Gess), 2 ♀♀ [AMGS]; 37 km from Usakos [on road] to Swakopmund ( 22.03S , 15.16E ), 1.iv.2004 (F. W. and S.K. Gess), 2 ♀♀ (1 ♀ visiting yellow flowers of Asteraceae ) [AMGS]; Swakopmund 33 km on road to Usakos ( 22.34S , 14.49E ), 15.iii.2000 (F.W. and S.K. Gess), 1 ♀ (visiting cream flowers of Gomphocarpus filiformis (E. Mey.) D. Dietr., Asclepiadaceae [AMGS]; Swakopmund/Usakos near Roessing Mine ( 22.34S , 14.49E ), 5 ♀♀ (F.W. and S.K. Gess) [AMGS]; Swakop River bed on road to Goanikontes ( 22.41S , 14.35E ), 11.iv.1998 (F.W. and S.K. Gess), 1 ♂ (visiting white flowers of Psilocaulon salicornioides (Pax) Schwantes, Aizoaceae : Mesembryanthema) [AMGS]; Plains south of Goanikontes ( 22.42S , 14.47E ), 16.iv.2002 (F.W. and S.K. Gess), 17 ♀♀ [AMGS]; Kuiseb River bed at Rooibank ( 23.11S , 14.39E ), 10.iv.1998 (F.W. and S.K. Gess), 6 ♀♀, 1 ♂ (3 ♀♀ visiting yellow flowers of bushy Geigeria sp., Asteraceae ) [AMGS]; Rooibank [ 23.11S , 14.39E ], 19.xii.1978 (Empey), 5 ♀♀ [AMGS]; between Kuiseb and Gaub passes ( 23.24S , 15.50E ), 23.iii.1999 (F.W. and S.K. Gess), 1 ♀ [AMGS]; Gaub River bed in Gaub Pass ( 23.29S , 15.46E ), 14.iv.1998 (F.W. and S.K. Gess), 2 ♀♀, 2 ♂♂ (visiting yellow flowers of Zygophyllum simplex L., Zygophyllaceae ) [AMGS]; Solitaire ( 23.52S , 16.00E ), 30.iv.2002 (F.W. and S.K. Gess), 2 ♀♀ [AMGS]; W [of] Solitaire ( 23.53S , 16.00E ), 6.iv.2002 (F.W. and S.K. Gess), 1 ♀ [AMGS]; Gorrasis 99, Luederitz (SE 2515 Bd) [ 25.18S , 15.56E ], 12-15.ii.1973 (collector?), 1 ♀ [NMNW]; SW of Gibeon, 41 km on [road] 1089 ( 25.20S , 17.29E ), 10.iii.1999 (F.W. and S.K. Gess), 1 ♀ [AMGS]; Sinclair Mine 2, Luederitz (SE 2516 Cb) [ 25.43S , 16.23E ], 7.x.1972 (collector?), 1 ♀, 3 ♂♂ [NMNW]; Kanaaen 104, Luederitz (SE 2516 Cc) [ 25.51S , 16.10E ], 6-7.x.1972 (collector?), 1 ♀, 1 ♂ [NMNW]; Barby 26, Bethanie (SE 2516 Dc) [ 25.51S , 16.33E ], 2-7.x.1972 (collector?), 10 ♀♀, 1 ♂ [NMNW]; 34 km on [road] C13 from Helmeringhausen ( 26.05S , 16.38E ), 9.iii.1999 (F.W. and S.K. Gess), 2 ♀♀, 1 ♂ (visiting yellow flowers of Deverra denudata (Viv.) Pfisterer & Podl., Apiaceae ) [AMGS]; 32 km SW of Helmeringhausen ( 26.06S , 16.36E ), 16.iii.1997 (F.W. and S.K. Gess), 3 ♀♀ (1 ♀ visiting yellow flowers of Deverra denudata (Viv.) Pfisterer & Podl., Apiaceae ) [AMGS]; 12 km E [of] Springbokwater ( 20.15S , 13.44E ), 11.iv.2002 (F.W. and S.K. Gess), 1 ♀ (visiting Zygophyllum simplex L., Zygophyllaceae ) [AMGS]; Konkiep R[iver] at Bethanie (SE 2717Bd) [ 26.29S , 17.08E ], 23.x.1971 (collector?), 6 ♂♂ [NMNW]; Keetmanshoop [ 26.35S , 18.08E ], 15.xii.1974 (Empey), 13 ♀♀, 6 ♂♂ [AMGS]; same locality and collector, 29.xii.1977, 7 ♀♀, 9 ♂♂, 19.xi.1984 (F.J. Herbst), 1 ♀ [AMGS]; 17 km E of Keetmanshoop [circa 26.36S , 18.19E ], 25.v.1973 (M.F. Johannsmeier), 1 ♀ [AMGS]; near Aus on road to Helmeringhausen ( 26.37S , 16.20E ), 15.iii.1997 (F.W. and S.K. Gess), 3 ♀♀, 3 ♂♂(visiting white flowers of Psilocaulon glareosum (Berger) Dinter & Schwantes, Aizoaceae : Mesembryanthema) [AMGS]; Riverside 135, Bethanie (SE 2616 Ca) [ 26.37S , 17.00E ], 23-16 ( sic ). x.1971 (collector?), 1 ♀ [NMNW]; Klein-Aus Vista ( 26.39S , 16.15E ), 2.iii.2000 (F.W. and S.K. Gess), 5 ♀♀, 1 ♂ [AMGS]; Aus [ 26.40S , 16.15E ],. xii.1929 (R.E. Turner), 2 ♀♀ [SAMC ex NMBZ]; Aus ( 26.40S , 16.15E ), 2.iii.2000, 1 ♂; same locality, 3.iii.2000 (F.W. and S.K. Gess), 2 ♂♂ (visiting yellow flowers of Acacia sp., Mimosaceae ) [AMGS]; Keetmanshoop/Aus, 96 km E of Aus ( 26.42S , 17.11E ), 28.iii.2000 (F.W. and S.K. Gess), 1 ♀ (visiting yellow flowers of Tribulus sp., Zygophyllaceae ) [AMGS]; Sperrgebiet, Dreizakberg ( 27.01S , 15.23E ), 8.ix.2005 (F.W. and S.K. Gess),1 ♀ (hunting at bushes) [AMGS]; Noachabeb 97, Keetmanshoop (SE 2718 Ad), 7-12.i.1972 (collector?), 1 ♀ [NMNW]; Karas Mountains, 14 km south on [road] 201 from [road] 26 ( 27.12S , 18.59E ), 7.iii.1999 (F.W. and S. K. Gess), 1 ♂ (visiting yellow flowers of Geigeria pectidea (DC.) Harv., Asteraceae ) [AMGS]; G[rea]t Karas Mountains, xi.1936 (Mus. Staff), 13 ♀♀, 7 ♂♂ [SAMC]; Gruenau [ 27.44S , 18.23E ], 19.xi.1984 (F.J. Herbst), 2 ♀♀, 2 ♂♂ [AMGS]; W of Karasburg on road to Gruenau ( 27.54S , 18.41E ), 13.iii.1997 (F.W. and S.K. Gess), 3 ♀♀, 2 ♂♂ (on cream flowers of Gomphocarpus filiformis (E. Mey.) D. Dietr., Asclepiadaceae ) [AMGS]; Karasburg ( 28.00S , 18.45E ), 13.iii.1997 (F.W. and S.K. Gess), 2 ♂♂ (1 ♂ on cream flowers of Gomphocarpus filiformis (E. Mey.) D. Dietr., Asclepiadaceae ; 1 ♂ on yellow flowers of Acacia karroo Hayne, Mimosaceae ) [AMGS]; Karasburg, 14.xii.1974 (Empey), 4 ♀♀ [AMGS]; same locality and collector, 5.i.1975, 4 ♀♀, 9.i.1975, 1 ♀, 10.xii.1983, 2 ♀♀, 2 ♂♂ [AMGS]; 30 km E of Karasburg on road from Ariamsvlei ( 28.00S , 19.03E ), 12.iii.1997 (F.W. and S.K. Gess), 13 ♀♀, 1 ♂♂ (visiting yellow flowers of Geigeria sp., Asteraceae ) [AMGS]; 10 km NE [of] Rosh Pinah [?], 16.x.1972 (H.D. Brown, E. Koster, A. Prinsloo), 1 ♀ [AMGS]; 16 km S [of] Rosh Pinah ( 28.04S , 16.51E ), 13.x.2000 (F.W. and S.K. Gess), 3 ♀♀, 2 ♂♂ (1 ♀ visiting white flowers of Aizoaceae : Mesembryanthema) [AMGS]; between Karasburg and Ariamsvlei ( 28.05S , 19.25E ), 18.iv.1998 (F.W. and S.K. Gess), 2 ♀♀ (visiting yellow flowers of Geigeria pectidea (DC.) Harv., Asteraceae ) [AMGS]; Ortmansbaum 120, Warmbad (SE 2818 Bd) [ 28.21S , 18.41E ], 18-21.x.1971 (collector?), 1 ♂ [NMNW]; Gt. Fish R[iver], Aiais [Ais-Ais], S.W.A., xi.1936 (Mus. Staff), 1 ♀.[NMNW]. SOUTH AFRICA: NORTHERN CAPE: Richtersveld (2816BB) [circa 28.16S , 16.55E ] at rd. Khubus-Ochta near Vyfsusters Mt., 7.x.1987 (M. Struck), 1 ♀, 1 ♂ [AMGS]; Pachtvlei, E [of] Alexander Bay ( 28.33S , 16.34E ), 10.x.2000 (F.W. and S.K. Gess), 1 ♀ [AMGS]; 23 km N of Kakamas on road to Lutzputz [ 28.34S , 20.34E ], 13.iii.1990 (F.W. and S.K. Gess), 1 ♀ [AMGS]; Augrabies Nat. Reserve [ 28.35S , 20.20E ], 11.xii.1974 (Empey), 1 ♀ [AMGS]; Vioolsdrift, Namaqualand [ 28.46S , 17.38E ], iii.1935 (Museum Staff), 3 ♂♂ [SAMC]; Goodhouse [ 28.55S , 18.13E ], xi.1936 (Mus. Staff), 4 ♀♀, 3 ♂♂ [SAMC]. WESTERN CAPE:Prince Albert Dist., Tierberg (Study Site) ( 33.10S , 22.16E ), 26.xi.-5.xii.1987 (F.W., S.K. and R.W. Gess), 19 ♀♀, 11 ♂♂ (9 ♀♀, 11 ♂♂, on flowers of Gomphocarpus filiformis (E. Mey.) D. Dietr., Asclepiadaceae ; 2 ♀♀ on flowers of Carissa haematocarpa (Eckl.) DC, Apocynaceae ); Prince Albert Dist., Tierberg [Study Site] ( 33.10S , 22.16E ), 16.xi.1994 (F.W. and S.K. Gess), 4 ♀♀, 1 ♂ (on cream flowers of Gomphocarpus filiformis (E. Mey.) D. Dietr., Asclepiadaceae ); Prince Albert Dist., Tierberg (Res[earch Stat[ion]) ( 33.08S , 22.16E ), 26.xi.-5.xii.1987 (F.W., S.K. and R.W. Gess), 7 ♀♀, (2 ♀♀ on flowers of Acacia karroo Hayne, Fabaceae , Mimosoideae ); Prince Albert Dist., Tierberg Farm ( 33.10S , 22.15E ), 21.i.1996 (F.W. and S.K. Gess), 1 ♂ (visiting cream flowers of Gomphocarpus filiformis (E. Mey.) D. Dietr., Asclepiadaceae ) [AMGS]; Touwsrivier [ 33.20S , 20.02E ], 9.i.1975 (Empey), 1 ♂ [AMGS]; Bushmans Riv[er], Letjiesbosch, Koup [ 32.34S , 22.16E ], xi1935 (Mus.Staff), 1 ♂ [SAMC]; Letjiesbosch, Koup, iii.1937 (Mus. Staff, 3 ♀♀ [SAMC]; Merweville Dist[rict] [ 32.40S , 21.31E ], ii.1941 (H. Zinn), 2 ♀♀ [SAMC]; Merweville Distr[ict], i-ii.1947 (H. Zinn), 117 ♀♀, 22 ♂♂ [SAMC]; Merweville Distr[ict], 8.ii.1978 (H. Zinn), 2 ♀♀ [SAMC]; Merweville, Laingsburg Distr[ict] [ 32.40S , 21.31E ], i.1959 (H. Zinn), 21 ♀♀, 5 ♂♂ [SAMC]; Dikbome, Merweville, Koup [ 32.54S , 21.22E ], i.1953 (H. Zinn), 41 ♀♀, 77 ♂♂ [SAMC]; Rooinek, Laingsburg Distr[ict] [ 33.20S , 20.52E ], i.1949 (Zinn-Hesse Mus. Exp.), 1 ♂ [SAMC]; Spitzkop, Laingsburg Disr[rict] [ 33.30S , 20.35E ], iii.1938 (Mus. Staff), 1 ♀, 1 ♂ [SAMC]; Thee Kloof [ 32.05S , 20.41E ], Fraserburg Div[ision], xi.1935 (Mus.Staff), 1 ♀, 1 ♂ [SAMC]; Moordenaars Karoo, Laingsburg Div[ision] [circa 32.58S , 20.49E ], iii.1937 (Mus. Staff), 1 ♀, 1 ♂ [SAMC]; Moordenaars Karoo, Laingsburg Div[ision], xi.1937 (Mus. Staff), 5 ♀♀, 1 ♂ [SAMC]; Beaufort West Dist[rict] [circa 32.18S , 22.36E ], ii.1958 (S.A.M.), 9 ♀♀, 9 ♂♂ [SAMC]; Beaufort West, Oukloof [circa 32.18S , 22.36E ], i.1949 (Zinn-Hesse Mus. Exp.), 2 ♀♀, 1 ♂ [SAMC]; Murraysburg Dist[rict][circa 31.58S , 23.47E ], iii.1931 (Museum Staff), 3 ♀♀, 6 ♂♂ [SAMC]; Tankwa Karoo, Renoster Riv[er] [circa 32.16S , 20.05E ], xi.1952 (Mus.Expd.), 1 ♂ [SAMC]; Gouph, Laingsburg Dist[rict] [circa 33.12S , 20.52E ], ix.1937(Museum Staff), 1 ♀, 3 ♂♂ [SAMC]; Vogelfontein, Prince Albert Div[ision], iii-iv.1929 (A. J. Hesse), 4 ♀♀ [3 ♀♀ SAMC; 1 ♀ SAMC ex NMBZ]; Matjiesfontein, 14-27.xi.1928 (R.E. Turner), 1 ♂ [SAMC ex NMBZ]. EASTERN CAPE: Willowmore [ 33.15S , 23.30E ], 5.iii.1902 (Brauns), 1 ♀ [SAMC ex NMBZ]; same locality and collector, 25.xii.1902 (Brauns), 1 ♀ [AMGS], 15.iii.1919 (Brauns), 1 ♂ [SAMC ex NMBZ], 20.i.1922, 1 ♀ [AMGS], no date, 1 ♂ [AMGS]. Geographical distribution. Principally in western semi-arid to arid Namibia extending to the coast and southwards and eastwards through northern Namaqualand across the western and southeastern Nama-Karoo ( Fig. 14b ). Floral associations. Recorded from nine plant families: Boraginaceae ( Heliotropium sp. not tubulosum ); Acanthaceae ( Monechma genistifolium (Engl.) C.B. Clarke); Amaranthaceae ( Hermbstaedtia sp.); Asteraceae ( Geigeria pectidea (DC.) Harv. and Geigeria sp. ( Asteraceae )); Aizoaceae (Mesembryanthema, Brownanthus kuntzei (Schinz) Ihlenf. & Bittrich, Psilocaulon salicornioides (Pax) Schwantes ( Aizoaceae : Mesembryanthema) and Psilocaulon glareosum (Berger) Dinter & Schwantes; non-Mesembryanthema, Galenia papulosa (Eckl. & Zeyh.) Sond.); Zygophyllaceae ( Tribulus sp. and Zygophyllum simplex L.); Apiaceae ( Deverra denudata (Viv.) Pfisterer & Podl.); Fabaceae ( Mimosoideae , Acacia sp.); Apocynaceae ( Carissa haematocarpa (Eckl.) DC; formerly Asclepiadaceae , Gomphocarpus filiformis (E. Mey.) D. Dietr.). Nesting. Unknown. Prey. Unknown.