Bembix capensis Lepeletier

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 : 67-69

Bembix capensis Lepeletier Fig. 6c

Bembex capensis Lepeletier, 1845: 273, ♂ (Holotype, ♂, no locality, South Africa, former Cape Province, in collection M. Spinola, Turin, Italy); F. Smith 1856: 322 (in catalogue of Hymenoptera in British Museum); Dalla Torre 1897: 503 (in catalogue of world Hymenoptera ); Handlirsch 1893: 853, pl. 3, figs 4, 26, ♂, ♀ (in revision of world Bembicinae ); Cameron 1910: 144; Arnold 1929: 377, figs 40, 40a-c, pl. 6, fig. 32, ♂, ♀ (in revision of southern African Sphecidae ); Arnold 1930: 21 (in checklist of Afrotropical Sphecidae ); Arnold 1935: 503 (Kalahari, South Africa); Gadallah 2002: 63 (in key to Egyptian Bembix based on male genitalia).

Bembix capensis Lepeletier, J. Parker 1929: 143 (in revision of Stizini and Bembicini ); de Beaumont 1967: 506 (Natal [KwaZulu-Natal], South Africa); Carpenter 1920 (prey); Ulleyt and De Vries 1940 (prey); R. Bohart and Menke 1976: 545 (in checklist of world Sphecidae ); Gess and Gess 1994: 100 (flower visiting); Gess 1981: 21 (prey) Gess 1986: 152, 157 (prey); S. Gess 1996: 276, 280, 281, 283, 295 (flower visiting records); Guichard 1989: 146 (Saudi Arabia); Gadallah 1997: 259 (in revision of Egyptian Bembix ); Gess and Gess 2003: 122 (flower visiting records); Gadallah and Assery 2004: 230 (in checklist of Sphecidae of Saudi Arabia); Roche 2007a: 109 (in checklist of Egyptian Ampulicidae , Sphecidae and Crabronidae , redescription); Roche 2007b: 7 (in checklist of Egyptian Ampulicidae , Sphecidae and Crabronidae ); Pulawski 2013: 17 (in catalog of world Sphecidae sensu lato).

Bembex natalis Dahlbom, 1845: 489, ♀ (Holotype or syntypes, South Africa, Port Natal [Durban, KwaZulu-Natal], in Lund or Stockholm). Handlirsch 1893: 853, synonymised with Bembix capensis ; F. Smith 1856: 324 (in catalogue of Hymenoptera in British Museum).

Note.

Described by Lepeletier (1845) from the Cape of Good Hope and subsequently recorded from various parts of southern Africa: Handlirsch (1893) from the Transvaal and “Capland”; Cameron (1910) from Olifants River (Transvaal); and Parker (1929) from South West Africa (now Namibia). Arnold (1929) stated it to be "a common species widely distributed throughout Rhodesia (now Zimbabwe) and South Africa", and ( 1935) recorded it from three localities (Gemsbok Pan, Gomodimo and Ngami) in the Kalahari (Botswana). De Beaumont (1967) recorded it from Tugela River, 12 miles WNW Bergville, Natal (now KwaZulu Natal).

Material examined.

TANZANIA: Old Shinyanga [3.34S, 33.24E), 18.vii.1954 (E. Burtt), 1 ♀ (with cocoon) [SAMC ex NMBZ]. ZIMBABWE: Sawmills [19.35S, 28.02E], 26.x.1919 (G. Arnold), 1 ♂ [AMGS]; Sawmills [19.35S, 28.02E], 12.xi.1920 (Rhodesia Museum), 1 ♂ [SAMC ex NMBZ]; Sawmills, 1.iv.1923 (Roy Stevenson), 1 ♂ [SAMC ex NMBZ]; Sawmills, 16.xi.1924 (Rhod. Museum), 1 ♀ [SAMC ex NMBZ]; Sawmills R[oa]d, Nyamandhlovu [circa 19.52S, 28.15E], 26. iii 1961 (Nat.Museum S. Rhodesia), 1 ♀ [SAMC ex NMBZ];Nyamandhlovu [19.52S, 28.15E], xi.1960 (Nat. Museum S. Rhodesia), 1 ♂ [SAMC ex NMBZ]; Bulawayo [20.07S, 28.32E], xi.1912 (G. Arnold), 1 ♀ [AMGS]; Bulawayo, 7.ix.1913 (G. Arnold), 1 ♀ [SAMC ex NMBZ]; Bulawayo, 29.ix.1923 (R. Stevenson), 2 ♂♂ [AMGS]; Bulawayo, 1.x.1923 (R. Stevenson), 1 ♂ [SAMC ex NMBZ]; Bulawayo, 17.iii.1924 (R.H.R. Stevenson), 1 ♂ [AMGS]; Bulawayo, 5.x.1924 (Rhodesia Museum), 1 ♀ [SAMC ex NMBZ]; Bulawayo, 26.xii.1951 (Nat. Museum S.Rhodesia), 1 ♂ [SAMC ex NMBZ]; Gwaai [= Gwai] [19.17S, 27.43E],14.x.1926 (R.H.R. Stevenson), 1 ♀ [AMGS]; Turk Mine [19.44S, 28.48E], 24.xi.1957 (Nat. Museum S. Rhodesia), 1 ♀ [SAMC ex NMBZ]; Turk Mine, 16.xii.1957 (Nat. Museum S. Rhodesia), 1 ♂ [AMGS]; Turk Mine, 2.xi.1958 (Nat.Museum S. Rhodesia),2 ♂♂ [1 ♂ AMGS; 1 ♂ SAMC ex NMBZ]; Turk Mine, 1.xi.1959 (Nat. Museum S. R.), 1 ♀ [SAMC ex NMBZ]; Turk Mine, i.1961 (Nat. Museum S. R.), 1 ♂ [SAMC ex NMBZ]; Hillside [20.12S, 28.37E], 1.xii.1922 (Swinburne and Stevenson), 1 ♂ [SAMC ex NMBZ]; Hillside [20.12S, 28.37E], 6.v.1924 (R.H.R. Stevenson), 1 ♂ [AMGS]; Umguza R[iver] [19.42S, 28.25E], 24.x.1930 (R.H.R. Stevenson), 1 ♀ [AMGS]; ia (28.06S, 32.26E), 4-5.iii.1987 (A.J. Weaving), 1 ♂ [AMGS]. NAMIBIA: Gautsche Pan, Bushmanland (19.48S, 20.35E), 9-13.vi.1971 (no collector given), 2 ♀♀ [NMNW]; Noachabeb 97, Keetmanshoop [SE 2718 Ad) [27.26S, 18.31E], 7-12.i.1972 (no collector given), 2 ♀♀ [NMNW]; Oshakati, Ovamboland (SE 2715 Da) [17 48S, 15.42E], 5.v.1971 (no collector given), 1 ♀; Claratal 18 (SE 2216 Dd) [22 48S, 16.50E], Windhoek, 27.i.1971 (no collector given), 1 ♀ [NMNW]; Otjikoko-Süd (SE 2116 Ad) [21.22S, 16 22E], Omaruru, 18.xi.1971 (no collector given), 2 ♀♀ [NMNW]; Takuasa (SE 1720 Cd), Kavango, 14-19.vii.1971 (no collector given), 1 ♀ [NMNW]; 30 km E [of] Karasburg on road from Ariamsvlei (28.00S, 19.03E), 12.iii.1997 (F.W. and S.K. Gess), 1 ♀ (visiting yellow flowers of Geigeria sp., Asteraceae ) [AMGS]; Great Karas Mountains [circa 27.11S, 18.44E], xi.1936 (Mus. Staff), 6 ♀♀ [SAMC]; Ongandjera [17.55S, 15.05E], iii.1923 (S. W. Africa Mus. Exped.), 2 ♂♂ [SAMC]; Windhoek [22.35S, 17.04E], no date, no collector recorded), 1 ♀ [SAMC]; Swakop River Bed on road to Goanikontes (22.41S, 14.35E), 11.iv.1998 (F.W. and S.K. Gess), 10 ♀♀, 6 ♂♂ visiting white flowers of Psilocaulon salicornioides (Pax) Schwantes, Aizoaceae : Mesembryanthema) [AMGS]; Swakop River at bridge nr mouth (22.42S, 14.32E), 12.iv.1998 (F.W. and S.K. Gess), 1 ♀ (on moist sand) [AMGS]; Swakopmund, Swakop R[iver] at bridge (22.42S, 14.32E), 16.iii.1999 (F.W. and S.K. Gess), 1 ♀ [AMGS]; 18 km west of 1237/C26 junction (23.09S, 16.42E), 1 ♂ (visiting deep-pink flowers of Hermstaedtia sp., Amaranthaceae ) [AMGS]; Gamsberg, E of Pass (23.19S, 16.31E), 12.iii.1999 (F.W. and S.K. Gess), 1 ♂ visiting yellow flowers of Geigeria sp., Asteraceae ) [AMGS]; Namutoni [18.48S, 16.59E], 1919 (J. Breyer), 1 ♂ [AMGS]. LESOTHO: Mamathes [29.08S, 27.51E], 18. xi.1945 (L. Bevis), 1 ♂ [AMGS]; Mamathes [29.08S, 27.51E], 9.xi.1947 (C. Jacot-Guillarmod), 1 ♂ [AMGS]; same locality and collector, 8.xi.1949, 2 ♂♂, 12.xi.1949, 1 ♂, 13.xi.1949, 3 ♂♂, 17.xi.1949, 1 ♂, 18.xi.1949, 1 ♂, 18.xii.1949, 1♀, 29.i.1950, 1 ♀, 14.xi.1954, 1 ♀ [all 11 AMGS]; nr. Medicani [ ?? ], 20.i.1939 (L. Bevis), 1 ♀ [AMGS]. SOUTH AFRICA: GAUTENG: Pretoria North [25.40S, 28.10E], 17.x. 1947 (C. Jacot-Guillarmod), 3 ♀♀, 1 ♂ [AMGS]; Pretoria North [25.40S, 28.10E], 19.x.1947 (C. Jacot-Guillarmod), 1 ♀ [AMGS]; Pretoria North [25.40S, 28.10E], 29.xi.1964 (Empey), 1 ♂ [AMGS]; Pretoria North Sandpits [25.40S, 28.15E], 25.x.1947 (C. Jacot-Guillarmod), 1 ♀ (with prey: Sarcophagidae ); Pretoria North Sandpits, 26.x.1947 (C. Jacot-Guillarmod), 2 ♂♂ (bearing pollinia of Asclepiadaceae on tarsi) [AMGS]; Johannesburg [26.10S, 28.02E], 9.ii.1967 (J.G.H. Londt), 2 ♀♀, 1 ♂ [AMGS]; Johannesburg North, Raedene [26.09S, 28.06E], 28.iii.1966 (Empey), 4 ♀♀, 2 ♂♂ [AMGS]; Johannesburg North, Raedene, 21.v.1966 (Empey), 3 ♀♀ [AMGS]; Johannesburg North, Wilds [26.09S, 28.3E], 17.iii.1962 (Empey), 1 ♀ [AMGS]; Johannesburg East [circa 26.12S, 28.3E], 4.xii.1961 (Empey), 1 ♀ [AMGS]; Johannesburg West [26.12S, 28.3E], 6.i.1958 (Empey), 1 ♀ [AMGS]; Johannesburg West, 4.i.1959 (Empey), 1 ♀ [AMGS]; Johannesburg West, 3.ii.1959 (Empey), 1 ♂ [AMGS]; Johannesburg West, 4.xii.1961 (Empey), 3 ♀♀, 1 ♂♂ [AMGS]; Johannesburg West, 30.x.1966 (Empey), 1 ♂ [AMGS]; Florida Hills [26.10S, 27.52E], 19.iii.1960 (Empey), 1 ♀ [AMGS]; Florida Hills, 26.ii.1961 (Empey), 1 ♀ [AMGS]; Florida Hills, 2.iv.1961 (Empey), 2 ♀♀ [AMGS]; Florida Hills, 25.ii.1968 (F.J. Herbst), 1 ♂ [AMGS]; Strubens Valley, Florida [26.10S, 27.56E], 14.xi.1965 (Empey), 1 ♀ [AMGS]; Strubens Valley, Florida, 29.xi.1965 (Empey), 1 ♀ [AMGS]; Strubens Valley, Florida, 6.xii.1969 (Empey), 1♀ [AMGS]; Strubens Valley, Florida, 21.xii.1969 (Empey), 1 ♀ [AMGS]; Mondeor Hills [26.16S, 28.0E], 6.i.1958 (Empey), 1 ♂ [AMGS]; Mondeor Hills,6.xii.1961 (Empey), 1 ♀ [AMGS]; Alberton [26.18S, 28.15E], 4.xii.1961 (Empey), 1 ♂ [AMGS]; Alberton [26.18S, 28.15E], 28.i.1966 (Empey, 1 ♀ [AMGS];Benoni [26.11S, 28.18E], 28.xi.1964 (Empey), 1 ♀ [AMGS]; Mid-West Transvaal, Midway Station [26.43S, 27.06E], 29.iv.1963 (Empey), 3 ♀♀ [AMGS]. NORTH WEST PROVINCE: Pienaarsrivier [25.10S, 27.59E], 2.xi.1967 (Empey), 2 ♀♀ [AMGS]; Schweitzer-Reneke [27.11S, 25.18E], 27.ii.1979 (F. Herbst), 1 ♂ [AMGS]; MPUMALANGA: Nelspruit [25.29S, 30.59E], 15.x.1967 (Empey), 1 ♀ [AMGS]; Maboki, Lydenb[urg] [circa 25.10S, 30.29E], no date (F.J. Kroeger]. 1 ♀ [SAMC]; Skukuza [24.59S, 31.36E], 6.ii.1965 (D.J. Brothers, 1 ♂ [AMGS]. KWAZULU-NATAL: Sordwana Bay [now Sodwana Bay] [27.32S, 32.41E], 27.iv.1977 (F.J. Herbst), 1 ♂ [AMGS]; Dundee [28.11S, 30.15E], 21.i.1961 (Empey), 2 ♂♂ [AMGS]; Nagle Dam District [29.35S, 30.37E], 16.i.1966 (F. Herbst), 1 ♂ [AMGS]; Kloof [29.47S, 30.50E], ii.1915 (Marley), 1 ♀ [SAMC]; Ladysmith [28.32S, 29.46E], 26.iii.1960 (Empey), 2 ♀♀ [AMGS]; Mfongosi [28.43S, 30.48E], xii.1934 - ii.1935 (W.E. Jones), 1 ♂ [SAMC]. FREE STATE: Chicago, Lindley Dist. [circa 27.53S, 27.57E], 17-18.i.1968 (D.J. Brothers), 4 ♀♀, 3 ♂♂ [AMGS]; Kroonstad [27.43S, 27.19E], ii.1946 (S. Brothers), 1 ♂ [AMGS]; same locality and collector, v.1946, 1 ♀ [AMGS]; same locality, 29.xi.1946 (C. Jacot-Guillarmod), 1 ♀ [AMGS]; same locality, ii.1948 (D.J. Brothers), 1 ♂ [AMGS]; same locality, 4.iv.1948 (J. Brothers), 1 ♂ [AMGS]; same locality, 22.xii.1964 (D.J. Brothers), 1 ♂ [AMGS]; same locality and collector, xii.1965, 2 ♀♀ [AMGS], 31.xii.1965, 4 ♂♂ [all 6 AMGS]; Flora, Marquard [28.40S, 27.28E], 1.i.1960 (C. Jacot-Guillarmod), 3 ♀♀ [AMGS]; Bloemfontein [29.06S, 27.07E], 10.iii.1931 (Nat. Museum S. Rhodesia), 1 ♂ [AMGS]; same locality, 20.iii.1931 (C. Jacot-Guillarmod), 2 ♂♂ [1 ♂ AMGS; 1 ♂ SAMC ex NMBZ]; Smithfield [30.09S, 26.30E], 1909 (Kannemeyer), 1 ♀ [SAMC]. NORTHERN CAPE: Kalahari Gemsbok National Park, Nossob River bed 11 km NNE [of] Twee Rivieren [26.24S, 20.41E], 8-11.iii.1990 (F.W. and S.K. Gess), 5 ♀♀, 5 ♂♂ (on yellow flowers of Deverra aphylla (Cham. & Schlechtd.) DC, Apiaceae ) [AMGS]; Namaqualand, Springbok, Hester Malan [now Goegap] Nature Reserve [29.38S, 17.59E], 15-21.x.1987 (F.W. and S. K. Gess), 5 ♂♂ (Malaise trap) [AMGS]; Namaqualand, Bowesdorp [30.20S, 17.18E], xi.1931 (Mus. Staff), 1 ♀, 1 ♂; Namaqualand, Kamiesberg to Sors Sors (30.11S, 18.01E), 9-12.x.1997 (F.W. and S. K. Gess), 4 ♂♂ (visiting blue flowers of Anchusa capensis Thunb., Boraginaceae ) [AMGS]; Vanwyksfontein, 8 km W. of Norvalspont [30.39S, 25.23E], 15-24.i.1985 (D.W. Gess), 4 ♀♀, 6 ♂♂ (2 ♀♀, 6 ♂♂ on flowering), 4 ♂♂ (3 ♂♂ Malaise trap) [AMGS]; Thee Kloof [32.05S, 20.41E], Fraserburg Div. ( Acacia karroo Hayne, Fabaceae , Mimosoideae ) [AMGS]; same locality, 28-30.xi.1988 (F.W. and S.K. Gess), xi.1935 (Mus. Staff), 1 ♂ [SAMC]; Tanqua Karoo [circa 32.15S, 19.45E], i.1949 (Zinn - Hesse Mus, Exp.), 3 ♀♀, 3 ♂♂ [SAMC]; 26 miles North of Postmasburg [circa 28.18S, 23.05E], 1 ♂ [SAMC]; Sutherland Distr. [circa 32.24S, 20.40E], 8.i.1942 (H. Zinn), 1 ♂ [SAMC]; Richmond District [circa 31.23S, 23.56E], iii.1931 (Museum Staff), 2 ♀♀ [SAMC]; Kimberley [28.43S, 24.46E], ii.1951 (R.C. Bigalke), 2 ♀♀ [AMGS]. WESTERN CAPE: Citrusdal Dist. [circa 32.33S, 19.01E], xi.1948 (Mus. Exp.), 1 ♂; Clanwillium, Rondegat (32.15S, 18.56E), 15.x.1997 (F.W. and S.K. Gess), 1 ♀ (visiting yellow flowers of Athanasia trifurcata (L.) L.( Asteraceae ) [AMGS]; 31.5 km from Clanwilliam on road (R363) to Klawer [31.56S, 18.44E], 9-10.x.1990 (F.W. and S.K. Gess), 2 ♂♂ (on yellow flowers of Athanasia trifurcata (L.) L., Asteraceae ) [AMGS]; Prince Albert Dist[rict], Tierberg (Study Site) (33.10S, 22.16E), 26.xi.- 5.xii.1987 (F.W., S.K. and R.W. Gess), 1 ♂ (on flowers of Gomphocarpus filiformis (E. Mey.) D. Dietr., Asclepiadaceae ) [AMGS]; 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]; Dikbome, Merweville, Koup [32.54S, 21.22E], i.1953 (H. Zinn), 7 ♀♀, 10 ♂♂ [SAMC]; Merweville Dist[rict] [32.40S, 21.31E], ii.1948 (H. Zinn], 1 ♀ [SAMC]; Merweville Distr[ict] [32.40S, 21.31E], ii.1943 (H. Zinn), 1 ♂ [SAMC]; Merweville Dist[rict], i.-ii.1947 (H. Zinn), 1 ♀ [SAMC]; Merweville, Laingsburg Dist. [32.40S, 21.31E], i.1959 (H. Zinn), 1 ♀ [SAMC]; Constable [33.16S, 20.17E], ii.1958 [Mus.Staff], 1 ♀ [SAMC]; Klipberg n[ea]r Darling [circa 33.23S, 18.23E], 8 v.1968 (C.G.C. Dickson), 1 ♀ [SAMC ex NMBZ]; Beaufort West Dist[rict] [circa 32.18S, 22.36E], ii.1958 (S. A. M. sic [South African Museum]), 3 ♀♀, 5 ♂♂; Plumstead [Cape Town] [34.15S, 18.28E], xi.1942 (A. Banwick), 1 ♂; Cape Town [33.55S, 18.22E], 1909 (Master Péringuey), 1 ♀ [SAMC]; Cape Town [33.55S, 18.22E], 8.xii.1958 (M.S. Thomson), 1 ♀ [AMGS]; Bushmans Riv[er], Letjiesbosch, Koup [32.34S, 22.16E], xi.1935 (Mus. Staff), 1 ♂ [SAMC]; Murraysburg Dist[rict] [circa 31.58S, 23.47E], iii.1931 (Museum Staff), 6 ♀♀, 5 ♂♂ [SAMC]; Murraysburg [31.58S, 23.47E], xi.1935 (Mus. Staff), 1 ♀, 2 ♂♂ [SAMC]; EASTERN CAPE: Grahamstown [33.19S, 26.31E], iii.1945 (G.H. Frank), 1 ♂ [AMGS]; Grahamstown [33.19S, 26.31E], 22.iii.1958 (E.McC. Callan), 1 ♀ [AMGS]; Hilton farm, Grahamstown [33.15S, 26.20E], 22.x.1967 (C. Jacot-Guillarmod), 1 ♂ [AMGS]; Hilton farm, Grahamstown, 2.i.1974 (D.W. Gess), 1 ♂; Hilton farm, Grahamstown, 6.xii.1977 (D.W. Gess), 2 ♂♂; Hilton farm, Grahamstrown, 20.xii.1977 (D.W. Gess), 1♀; Hilton farm, Grahamstown, 27.xii.1977 (D.W. Gess), 1 ♀; Hilton farm, Grahamstown, 2.i.1978 (D.W. Gess), 1 ♂; Brak Kloof farm, Grahamstown [33.26S, 26.23E], i.1901(Mrs G. White), 1♂ [AMGS]; Brak Kloof farm, Grahamstown, iii.1901(Mrs G. White), 1 ♂ [AMGS]; Kasuga (sic) [Kasouga] [33.39S, 26.44E], 25.ix.1958 (R.E. Boltt), 1 ♂ [AMGS]; Bashee [now Mbashe] River [32.13S, 28.54E], 28.ix.1973 (E. Herbst), 1 ♀, 4 ♂♂ [AMGS]; same locality and collector, 12.xii.1975, 3 ♀♀ [AMGS]; Fort Beaufort [32.46S, 26.40E], 20.i.1960 (C. Jacot-Guillarmod), 1 ♀, 3 ♂♂ [AMGS]; Fort Beaufort, Umdala [Mdala] [32.48S, 26.41E], iii.1954 (S. A. Museum), 2 ♀♀, 1 ♂ [SAMC]; Willowmore [28.55S, 18.13E], xi.1908 (Brauns),1 ♂ [AMGS]; Willowmore, i.1914 (Rhodesia Museum), 1 ♀, 1 ♂ [SAMC ex NMBZ]; Willowmore, xii.1919 (Brauns), 1 ♀ [AMGS]; Middelburg Div. [circa 31.30S, 25.00E], xi.1935 (Mus.Staff), 1 ♂ [SAMC]; Middelburg [31.30S, 25.00E], 3.ii.1957 (E.McC. Callan), 1 ♂ [AMGS]; Burgersdorp [31.00S, 26.20E], 1.v.1952 (N. Gane), 1 ♀ [AMGS]; Alicedale [33.15S, 26.04E], 2.xii1970 (F.W. Gess), 3 ♂♂ [AMGS]; same locality and date (J.G.H. Londt), 1 ♀, 2 ♂♂ [AGM]; Alicedale, NewYear’s Dam [33.15S, 26.04E), 16.xii.1971 (F.W. Gess), 1 ♀ [AMGS]; Resolution farm, Fort Brown [33.08S, 26.37E], 24.i.1928 (Miss Walton), 1 ♂ [AMGS]; Resolution farm, Fort Brown, 29.i.1928 (Miss Walton), 1 ♂ [AMGS]; Resolution farm, Fort Brown, 8. ii.1928 (Miss Walton). 1 ♂ [AMGS]; Resolution farm, Fort Brown, 29.ii.1928 (A. Walton), 1 ♀ [AMGS]; Dunbrody [33.28S, 25.33E], xii.1917 (V. Powles), 1♀ [AMGS]; Pluto’s Vale [33.14S, 26.40E], Grahamstown, 8.xi.1964 (C. Jacot-Guillarmod, 1 ♀ [AMGS]; Port Elizabeth [33.58S, 25.40E], i.1952 (B.R. Stuckenberg), 2 ♀♀ [AMGS].

Geographical distribution.

A widespread species from Egypt southwards to the south coast of South Africa ( Fig. 7c ).

Flower associations.

Recorded from seven plant families: Asteraceae ( Geigeria sp. and Athanasia trifurcata (L.) L.); Aizoaceae (Mesembryanthema, Psilocaulon salicornioides (Pax) Schwantes); Amaranthaceae ( Hermstaedtia sp.); Apiaceae ( Deverra aphylla (Cham. & Schlechtd.) DC)); Fabaceae ( Mimosoideae , Acacia karroo Hayne); Boraginaceae ( Anchusa capensis Thunb.); Apocynaceae (formerly Asclepiadaceae , Gomphocarpus filiformis (E. Mey.) D. Dietr.).

Nesting.

Unknown.

Prey.

Recorded taking six families of Diptera : Sarcophagidae , Tabanidae , Glossinidae , Calliphoridae , and Tachinidae .

Figures

Figure 6. Bembix spp.: a Bembix bubalus, female, male b Bembix cameronis, female, male c Bembix capensis, female, male d Bembix capicola, female, male e Bembix cultrifera, female, male f Bembix denticauda. (approximate length of females: a 19.5 mm; b 18 mm; c 17 mm; d 18 mm; e 17 mm; f 18 mm)

Figure 7. Distributions of collection records of Bembix spp.: a Bembix bubalus b Bembix cameronis c Bembix capensis d Bembix capicola e Bembix cultrifera f Bembix denticauda.