Bembix fraudulenta Arnold, 1929

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 : 77-78

Bembix fraudulenta Arnold Fig. 8c

Bembex fraudulenta Arnold, 1929: 367, figs 32, 32a, pl. 6, figs, 41, 42, ♂,♀ (Syntypes, South Africa, Durban, South Africa, in DMSA) (in revision of southern African Sphecidae ); Arnold 1930: 21 (in checklist of Afrotropical Sphecidae ).

Bembix fraudulenta Arnold, R. Bohart and Menke 1976: 546 (in checklist of world Sphecidae ); Gess 1986: 153 (flower visiting, prey); Gess and Gess 1988: 246-247, Fig. 14.19 (habitat); Gess and Gess 1998: 351, Fig. 22.18 (habitat); Pulawski 2013: 29 (in catalogue of world Sphecidae sensu lato).

Material examined.

MOZAMBIQUE: Paradise Magoo, circa 20 km N. of Xai-Xai [24.59S, 33.58E], 2.vii.2012 (D.W. and G.M. Gess), 2 ♀♀, 1 ♂ [AMGS]; Inhaca Island [26.00S, 32.33E], 12.xii.1954 (E. McC. Callan), 1 ♀, 1 ♂ [AMGS]. SOUTH AFRICA: KWAZULU-NATAL: Umhlanga Rocks [29.43S, 31.06E], 1.i.1955 (E.McC. Callan), 1 ♂ [AMGS]; same locality, 4.i.1955 (E. McC. Callan), 1 ♀ (with prey: Mydidae : Nomoneuroides natalensis Hesse, ♂) [AMGS]; Durban (Bluff/2537) [29.54S, 31.02E], 27.iii.1920 (C.N. Barker), holotype ♂ (Red Type label of Arnold’s) [DMSA]; same locality, accession number and collector, 19. iii.1920, ?Paratype ♀ (Red Type label of Arnold’s) [DMSA]; same locality, accession number, date and collector, 1 ♀ (Paratype label attached by FWG) [SAMCC ex NMSR]; same locality, accession number and collector, 27.iii.1920, 1♀ (Paratype label attached by FWG) [AMGS]; same locality and collector [but accession number 2644 and date 26.iii.1921], 1 ♀ (Paratype label attached by FWG) [AMGS]; Durban (Beach B./2651), 30.iv.1921 (C.N. Barker), 1 ♀ [SAMC ex NMBZ]; Hillary, Durban [29.53S, 30.57E], no date (F. Herbst), 1 ♂ [AMGS]; Isipingo [Beach] [30.00S, 30.57E], 25.ii.1940 (L. Bevis), 1 ♀ [DMSA]; St. Michael’s on Sea [30.50S, 30.23E], 14.i.1953 (E.McC. Callan), 2 ♀♀, 1 ♂ [AMGS]. EASTERN CAPE: Port St. Johns [31.38S, 29.33E], 12.ii.1970 (J.G.H. Londt), 1 ♀ [AMGS]; East London [33.03S, 27.55E], iv.1947 (S. Seagrief), 1 ♀ [AMGS]; same locality, 28.ii.1960 (E.McC. Callan), 1 ♂ [AMGS]; Hamburg [33.17S, 27.28E], 25-26.iii.1987 (F.W. and S.K. Gess), 2 ♀♀ [AMGS]; Rietrivier Mouth near Port Alfred [33.33S, 27.01E], 11.i.1984 (R.W. Gess), 1 ♂ (on flowers of Ipomoea pes-caprae (L.) R. Br. brasiliensis (L.) Ooststr., Convolvulaceae ); same locality, 3.ii.1984 (F.W. Gess), 3 ♂♂ (2 ♂♂ visiting flowers of Ipomoea pes-caprae (L.) R. Br. brasiliensis); same locality and date (S.K. Gess), 1 ♂ (visiting flowers of Ipomoea pes-caprae (L.) R. Br. brasiliensis); Kenton-on-Sea [33.41S, 26.40E], 20.i.1984 (D.W. Gess), 1 ♀ (on flowers of white mesembs); Boknes (33.43S, 26.35E), 16.i.1984 (D.W. Gess), 1 ♂ (on flowers of Phylohydrax carnosa (Hochst.) Puff, Rubiaceae ); same locality, 20.i.1984 (F.W. Gess), 2 ♂♂ (on flowers of Phylohydrax carnosa ; same locality and date (R.W. Gess), 1 ♀, 7 ♂♂ (1 ♀, 6 ♂♂ on flowers of Phylohydrax carnosa ); same locality, 24.i.1984 (D.W. Gess), 1 ♀, 2 ♂♂ (1 ♂ on Gazania flowers); same locality and date (F.W. Gess), 2 ♀♀, 2 ♂♂ (on flowers of Phylohydrax carnosa ); same locality and date (R.W. Gess), 2 ♀♀, 1 ♂ (on flowers of Phylohydrax carnosa ); same locality, 27.i.1984 (F.W. Gess), 1 ♂ (on flowers of Phylohydrax carnosa ); same locality, 12.iv.1984 (D.W. Gess), 1 ♀; same locality, 9.i.1986 (D.W. Gess), 4 ♂♂ (on flowers of Phylohydrax carnosa ) [all AMGS].

Geographical distribution.

The species appears to have a strictly coastal distribution ( Fig. 9c ). At present it is known from coastal Mozambique, Kwazulu-Natal and the Eastern Cape (to at least as far south as Boknes, 33.43S, 26.35E) coasts. At Rietrivier Mouth, Kenton-on-Sea and Boknes the species was found frequenting the first line of supra-littoral dunes and visiting the flowers of plants associated with these dunes.

Floral associations.

Recorded from four plant families: Convolvulaceae ( Ipomoea pes-caprae (L.) R. Br. brasiliensis (L.) Ooststr.); Rubiaceae ( Phylohydrax carnosa (Hochst.) Puff); Asteraceae ( Gazania sp.); and Aizoaceae (Mesembryanthema).

Nesting.

Unknown but most likely nesting in the supra-littoral dunes.

Prey.

Recorded taking one family of Diptera : Mydidae (one female captured with mydid prey, Nomoneuroides natalensis Hesse, 1969 (♂ Paratype)).

Figures

Figure 8. a Bembix spp.: Bembix diversipennis, female, male b Bembix flavicincta, female c Bembix fraudulenta, female, male d Bembix fuscipennis, southern melanistic form, female, male e Bembix fuscipennis, northern yellow form, female f Bembix harenarum, female, male. (approximate lengths of females: a 27 mm; b 22.5 mm; c 12.5 mm; d 18.5 mm; e 18 mm; f 15.5 mm)

Figure 9. Distributions of collection records of Bembix spp.: a Bembix diversipennis b Bembix flavicincta c Bembix fraudulenta d Bembix fuscipennis e Bembix gracilens f Bembix harenarum.