Bembix namibensis Gess, 1986

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 : 91-93

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.

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 ).

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.

Figures

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)

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.