Observations on the Nests and Prey of Australian Bembix Sand Wasps (Hymenoptera:Sphecidae).

Abstract

Observations are presented on the nests and prey of six species of Bembix that have not been studied previously: mareeba, promontorii, octosetosa, kamulla, allunga and kununurra. In general, these are predators on flies, but kamulla also uses Neuroptera, and allunga uses both Neuroptera and Odonata in addition to flies. Nest structures of unusual interest are reported for these two species and for octosetosa. Data are also presented on the three species of the group tuberculiventris, which are predators on bees.