Bembix regnata J. Parker, 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 : 96

Bembix regnata J. Parker Fig. 13d

Bembix regnata Parker, 1929 (June): 111, pl. 13, figs 179-183, ♂, ♀ (Holotype, ♂, Tanganyika [Tanzania] in ZMNH); Arnold 1931: 209, 216; Benson 1934 (prey Lepidoptera ); Gess 1986: 158 (prey listed); R. Bohart and Menke 1976: 548 (in checklist of world Sphecidae ); Evans 2002a: 5 (known to prey on Lepidoptera ) Pulawski 2013: 70 (in catalogue of world Sphecidae sensu lato).

Bembix speciosa Arnold, 1929 (December): 337, figs 8, 8a-e, ♂, ♀ (Syntypes, ♂, Southern Rhodesia [Zimbabwe], Gwaai, in SAMC ex NMBZ) (in revision of southern African Sphecidae ); Arnold 1931: 209, 216 (synonymised with Bembix regnata ); R. Bohart and Menke 1976: 548 (in checklist of world Sphecidae ).

Note.

Bembix regnata was described by Parker from two localities in Tanganyika (Usaramo and Rufiaji Klurtusteppe) and Nyasa [Malawi] (Lake Nyasa). Arnold described his Bembix speciosa from Southern Rhodesia [Zimbabwe] (Gwaai, Victoria Falls, Matopos, Sanyati Valley and Bulawayo).

Material examined.

ZIMBABWE: Gwaai [= Gwai] [19.17S, 27.43E], 16.i.1927 (G. Arnold), 1 ♀, 1 ♂ Types of Bembix speciosa Arnold [SAMC ex NMBZ]; Matopos [20.35S, 28.30E], 18.xi.1923 (Rhodesia Museum), 1 ♂ [SAMC ex NMBZ]; Sanyati Valley [17.58S, 29.17E], ix-x.1925 (R.H. R. Stevenson), 1 ♂ [SAMC ex NMBZ]; Turk Mine [19.44S, 28.48E], 16.xii.1957 (Nat. Museum S. Rhodesia), 1 ♂ [SAMC ex NMBZ]; Sawmills [19.35S, 28.02E], 4.ii.1926 (R.H.R. Stevenson), 1 ♂ [SAMC ex NMBZ]; Wangezi Riv. [?], i.1928 (R.H.R. Stevenson), 1 ♂ [SAMC ex NMBZ]; W. Matetsi [18.15S, 25.55E], iv.1934 (R.H.R. Stevenson), 3 ♀♀, 1 ♂ [SAMC ex NMBZ]; Bulawayo [20.07S, 28.32E], 24.xii.1924 (R.H.R. Stevenson), 1 ♀ SAMC ex NMBZ]; Bulawayo [20.07S, 28.32E], 16.i.1938 (Nat. Museum S. Rhodesia), 1 ♀ [SAMC ex NMBZ]; Victoria. Falls [17.55S, 25.50E], 1934 (Nat. Museum S. Rhodesia), 1 ♀ [SAMC ex NMBZ]; Westwood, Vic. Falls, [circa 17.56S, 25.50E] 26. iii.1934 (R.H.R.S.), 1 ♀ [SAMC ex NMBZ]; Westwood nr Matetsi [18.17S, 25.5E], 30.iii.1934 30.iii.1934 (R.H.R. Stevenson), [SAMC ex NMBZ]; SOUTH AFRICA: KWAZULU-NATAL: Lake Sibaya [27.23S, 32.41E], 13-25.iii.1968 (D.J. Brothers), 1 ♂ [AMGS].

Additional records extracted from database of specimens in collection of SAMC are six specimens from Zimbabwe and one specimen from Nyaka (no country given), no sexes or determiners given.

Geographical distribution.

From north to south Zimbawe, in South Africa known from one specimen from northern coastal KwaZulu-Natal ( Fig. 14d ). Further records are required to establish a distribution pattern.

Floral associations.

Unknown.

Nesting.

Unknown.

Prey.

Recorded taking three families of Lepidoptera : Pieridae , Hesperidae , and Nymphalidae ( Benson 1934).

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.