Sphecidae Research Articles

The invasive Nearctic wasp Isodontia mexicana (Hymenoptera, Sphecidae) now established in Türkiye

The genus Isodontia Patton, 1880, consisting of grass-carrying wasps belonging to the family Sphecidae, has 62 described species distributed worldwide. Two are native to the Western Palaearctic and occur in Türkiye: Isodontia paludosa (Rossi, 1790) and Isodontia splendidula (A. Costa, 1858). Isodontia mexicana (de Saussure, 1867) and Isodontia nigella (F. Smith, 1856) are non-native species recorded in the Western Palaearctic. Former is the North American species of the genus, accidentally introduced into Europe and spread to many countries. This study reports for the first-time presence of Isodontia mexicana in Türkiye. The present record from near the western edge of Asia Minor constitutes the second locality where the species was detected in the Asian continent after Iran. Differential morphologic characters for the species are provided and illustrated. This new species record brings the number of Sphecidae fauna of Türkiye to 80.

Pollination by multiple species of nectar foraging Hymenoptera in Prasophyllum innubum, a critically endangered orchid of the Australian Alps

Context Australia has numerous threatened species of terrestrial orchid, with a particularly high incidence of rarity in the genus Prasophyllum R.Br. Although there has been research on mycorrhizal associations and propagation, little is known about the reproductive ecology of threatened Prasophyllum. Understanding which animals are responsible for pollination and the impact of herbivores on reproduction may inform conservation actions. Aims For the nationally Critically Endangered Prasophyllum innubum, we aimed to determine the pollinator species, test for self-pollination, quantify levels of reproductive success and herbivory, and identify herbivores. Methods Pollinator observations were undertaken at wild populations of P. innubum, whereas an experiment testing for self-pollination was undertaken in shadehouse conditions. We quantified reproductive success and herbivory at two populations and attempted to identify herbivores using game cameras. Key results Pollination occurred via three species of bee and a sphecid wasp, all of which attempted feeding on floral nectar. Fruit set averaged 72–84% at wild sites, whereas only 6% of flowers set fruit via self-pollination when insects were excluded. Just 4% of inflorescences were completely consumed by herbivores, and no herbivory was captured on camera. Conclusions P. innubum has a generalist rewarding pollination system that confers high levels of reproductive success, with herbivory having little impact on reproduction. Implications Pollinator availability is unlikely to restrict conservation translocation site selection of P. innubum because of a generalist pollination system. If herbivores are a threat for this species, it is likely to be through alteration of habitat rather than direct grazing.

Catalogue of Sceliphron destillatorium (Illager, 1807) (Hymenoptera, Sphecidae) specimens deposited in the State Museum of Natural History NASU, Lviv, Ukraine

Representatives of the genus Sceliphron Klug, 1801 are found in almost all biogeographical regions of the world (Yuan, 2022). At present, 35 species of this genus have been known (Pulawski, 2020). Of these, six species have been recorded from the territory of Ukraine as follows: three invasive species: Sceliphron caementarium (Drury, 1773); Sceliphron curvatum (Smith, 1870) and Sceliphron deforme (F. Smith, 1856) (Kletʹonkin, 2023); and three native species: Sceliphron destillatorium (Illiger, 1807); Sceliphron madraspatanum (Fabricius, 1781) and Sceliphron spirifex (Linnaeus, 1758) (Tymkiv et al., 2015). The most common is Sceliphron destillatorium (Illiger, 1807), which occurs throughout the territory of Ukraine. Representatives of the genus Sceliphron Klug, 1801 belong to two subgenera: Sceliphron and Hensenia. Although species of both subgenera take care of their offspring and feed the larvae with spiders, their nests differ in shape and number of mud cells. Wasps of the subgenus Hensenia build a certain number of single-celled mud nests in shape of jugs. Instead, wasps of the subgenus Sceliphron build cells that joint into large mud nest. S. destillatorium is the South–Palaearctic species. Its range covers the Mediterranean region (southern and south-eastern Europe, northern Africa and south-western and southern Asia) (Wisniowski et al., 2013). S. destillatorium is a solitary wasp. It belongs to the family Sphecidae (Insecta: Hymenoptera) of the subgenus Sceliphron (Gülmez1 et al, 2017). S. destillatorium female builds a nests of the moist soil material, which she collects and transports herself. The nest consists of tubular cells placed side by side, the number of which varies (Chatenoud et al., 2012). After building the first cell, the female hunts spiders to feed her offspring (Pytel-Huta, 2023; Yuan, 2022). Female S. destillatorium brings the paralysed spider into the cell, lays an egg and continues to hunt. Each cell stores a certain number of spiders. The number depends on the size of the victims and the sex of the future generation. Once the cells have been built, the female S. destillatorium covers them with an additional layer of soil (Polidori, 2005). In the wild, females build their nests in shady, sheltered places (rock ledges, empty tree trunks, etc.). However, at present, they are increasingly nesting in people's houses (usually under roofs, attics, etc.) (Yuan, 2022). Adult wasps feed on angiosperm nectar. The collection of the State Museum of Natural History, National Academy of Sciences in Lviv contains 14 specimens of this species collected in the western part of Ukraine and one specimen collected in the central part. A few samples (4) of this species were collected in 1922, 1923 and 1926, collector – J. Noskiewicz. The date and place of collection of the remaining specimens are unknown. All data have been entered into the web resource Data Centre “Biodiversity of Ukraine” http://dc.smnh.org/.

Morphometric and soil texture analysis of soil material from wasp nests Sceliphron destillatorium (Illiger, 1807) (Apoidea: Sphecidae)

Background. The article presents the data obtained as a result of our research on the nests of an aboriginal wasp species on the territory of Ukraine – Sceliphron destillatorium (Illiger, 1807) that belongs to the family Sphecidae. We collected 54 wasp nests in different regions: Zakarpattia (n = 4), Ivano-Frankivsk (n = 1), Rivne (n = 12) and Lviv (n = 35) Regions. The data are presented as a result of measuring the main morphometric parame­ters of nests (length, width of cells and mass of nests) which are typical of the species under study. The paper also reports the results of the soil texture analysis of the soil material of twelve wasp nests from four different places of “mass nesting” and compares the results with the control samples of the surrounding soils in the corresponding areas. The study aimed at investigating the structure of the nests of S. destillatorium wasps, determining the soil texture of the soil material of nests from different regions of Ukraine and comparing them. Material and Methods. The nests of Sceliphron destillatorium wasps were the object of the study. The morphometric parameters of nests were measured with an automatic digital caliper 0–150 mm and Axis A500 technical chemical scales. The soil texture analysis was performed by the pipette method. The potentiometric method was used to determine the pH of the soil material. In addition, the determination of the CO2 carbonates was carried out according to the volumetric method. Results. We have analysed 54 nests of S. destillatorium. 46 nests were found in “mass nesting places” (in some places several samples were found): in Lviv (3 sites) and Rivne Regions (1 site – Rivne Nature Reserve). The content of granulometric elements was determined in twelve wasp nests from these places and twelve control soil samples were taken around the places of “mass nesting” (three samples of surrounding soil from each location). In order to compare the particle size distribution of elements in all analysed samples (24), we drew cumulative curves and determined coefficients of uniformity and curvature. Conclusions. Nest weighing revealed considerable variations in the mass of the nests – from 10.06 to 222.56 g – depending on the number of cells in a nest. The size of the nests also varied. The number of cells in the nests varied from 2 to 37 (mean = 13; n = 54 nests). As a result of the soil texture analysis of the nest soil material, we determined the percentage of granulometric elements used by the wasps for the construction of their nests. It was found that fine sand was one of the predominant fractions in all twelve nests. The similar content of all five fractions of soil material of wasp nests from different areas indicates that the soil texture of the nests which were built by S. destillatorium probably does not depend on their geographical location.

TO THE FAUNA OF THE DIGGER WASPS FAMILY SPHECIDAE (HYMENOPTERA: APOIDEA) OF THE KHINGAN NATURE RESERVE, AMURSKAYA OBLAST

Ten species in five genera of the digger wasps family Sphecidae are found in the Khingan Nature Reserve, of them six species are new for this restricted area. Sphex funerarius Gussakovskij, 1934 and Prionyx subfuscatus (Dahlbom, 1845) are reported from Amurskaya oblast for the first time and Podalonia hirsuta (Scopoli, 1763) is new for the fauna of Russian Far East. The genera Prionyx Vander Linden, 1827 and Sphex Linnaeus, 1758 are reported for Amurskaya oblast for the first time. The taxonomic composition of the fauna of Sphecidae is briefly discussed. Majority of species founded in the Khingan Reserve are Transpalaearctic.

The first record of the Far Eastern grass-carrying wasp Isodontia nigella (F. Smith, 1856) (Hymenoptera: Sphecidae: Sphecinae) from the Crimea

Isodontia nigella (F. Smith, 1856) is native to the Eastern Palaearctic, Oriental region, and Australia. A sheaf of reed canes installed as a trap nest in the Crimea was occupied with 73 nests of this species in 2021. The nests contained one to eight cells separated by partitions made of packed fragments of grass stalks and blades; the closing plug was made of the same materials. In some cases, there was no visible partition between two subsequent cells. The prey consisted of three orthopteran species with the predomination of the tree cricket Oecanthus pellucens (Scopoli, 1763) amounted to 95.1% of the identified specimens; three to 15 victims were stored per cell. Sex ratio was strongly male-biased, about 1♀:4♂. The species had two generations per year. Prepupae of the second generation overwintered and imagines emerged in 2022: males on 12–19 June, females on 17 June–5 July. Melittobia acasta (Walker, 1839) and an unidentified bombyliid fly were recorded as parasitoids that damaged only three cells. The reproductive success of the wasp was 65.2%; most deaths of the progeny were for unknown causes. This is the first record of I. nigella in Europe, outside its native range. Isodontia nigella is the second invasive species of the genus in Europe after I. mexicana (de Saussure, 1867) and the fifth invasive species of the family Sphecidae in the Crimea.

Diagnostics of the Two Species of <i>Ammophila</i> Kirby From Uzbekistan

This study taxonomically analyses the two spieces of ground digger wasps of the subfamily Ammophilinae and family Sphecidae of hymenoptera viz., Ammophila heydeni Dahlbom and A. sabulosa (Linnaeus) occurring in the Namangan region of Uzbekistan and provides a redescription. Molecular analysis of MtCo1 of these two species are also provided comparing of these and submitting accessiars in the NCBI Gen Bank.

Nest Ecology and Prey Preference of the Mud Dauber Wasp Sceliphron formosum (Hymenoptera: Sphecidae).

(1) Background: Sceliphron is a genus of sphecid wasps that build mud nests for reproduction. These wasps prey exclusively on spiders, and commonly inhabit human constructions. The nesting behaviour and prey selection of many Sceliphron species are well studied, but despite being a common insect in urban areas, Sceliphron formosum has never been comprehensively studied. (2) Methods: In this study, over 650 mud nests of S. formosum were collected, analysed and examined to establish prey preference, nest ecology and interspecific interactions. Prey preference was evaluated in terms of abundance, diversity and morphology. Preference in terms of morphology was estimated using body length to leg span ratio (BLR). (3) Results: S. formosum largely preys on ground-hunting spiders, among which Salticidae represented the most collected prey. In terms of prey size, S. formosum captures prey with a large BLR. Moreover, an unexpected discovery showed that the enclosed mud nests provide a micro niche that supports a wide variety of insects. Sixteen families and 23 species of insects were found associated with the use of mud nests, comprising the insect orders Hymenoptera, Diptera and Coleoptera. These included important pollinators, new species and native species not recorded in the past 20 years of mud dauber wasp research. We propose the potential of S. formosum as a keystone species, due to its ability to provide a micro niche for native species in urban areas. We also discuss how these results contribute to our knowledge on the role of insects in urban ecosystems and their significance in relation to conservation, ecology and biodiversity studies.

Türkiye Sphecidae ve Mutillidae (Hymenoptera: Aculeata) Faunası Hakkında Güncel Bilgiler

In the study which was conducted in Bingöl, Diyarbakır and Muş provinces of Turkey between 2016-2022, 12 species in eight genera from families Sphecidae and Mutillidae were identified. These species are: Ammophila hungarica Mocsary, 1883, Hoplammophila clypeata (Mocsáry, 1883), Podalonia fera (Lepeletier de Saint Fargeau, 1845), Podalonia hirsuta (Scopoli, 1763), Podalonia luffii (E. Saunders, 1903), Sceliphron arabs (Lepeletier de Saint Fargeau, 1845), Sceliphron destillatorium (Illiger, 1807) and Sceliphron madraspatanum tubifex (Latreille, 1809) from family Sphecidae and Dasylabris manderstiernii (Radoszkowski, 1865), Trogaspidia catanensis (Rossi, 1794), Tropidotilla litoralis (Petagna, 1787) and Krombeinella aramaea (Suárez, 1963) from family Mutillidae. Except for Podalonia hirsuta (Scopoli, 1763) and Tropidotilla litoralis (Petagna, 1787) species, all species are new records for the provincial fauna of Bingöl, Diyarbakır and Muş. In addition, new localities have been found for some species, which have already been reported from Turkey. The photographs of identified species are provided.

Жалящие перепончатокрылые в коллекции Института зоологии Национальной академии наук Азербайджана, Баку. Осы семейства Sphecidae (Hymenoptera, Aculeata)

The collection of the Institute of Zoology of the National Academy of Sciences of Azerbaijan (Baku) features wasps of the family Sphecidae represented by 34 species from 9 genera. Of these, 11 species were first recorded in the fauna of Azerbaijan: Chalybion flebile Lepeletier de Saint Fargeau, 1845; Sceliphron madraspatanum (Fabricius, 1781); Prionyx lividocinctus (A. Costa, 1858); P. haberhaueri (Radoszkowski, 1871); P. subfuscatus (Dahlbom, 1845); Podalonia caucasica (Mocsary, 1883); P. tydei Le Guillou 1841; Ammophila terminata (F. Smith, 1856); A. campestris (Latreille, 1809); A. occipitalis (F. Moravitz, 1880); and A. gracillima Taschenberg, 1869. In total, the collection contains 34 wasp species, of which 34 are from Azerbaijan, 15 from Iran and 1 from Russia. Data on the general geographic distribution are given for each species.

An overview of cocoon morphology of Sphecidae (Hymenoptera: Apoidea)

ABSTRACT The first overview of cocoon morphology of sphecid wasps is provided. Cocoons of 12 species, representing eight genera, are described in detail and literature data are summarised, totalling an analysis of cocoons of 12 out of 19 genera of Sphecidae. No relationship between structural features of the cocoons and nesting type, prey type or another biological trait has been found.

A faunistic study on the family Sphecidae (Hymenoptera) in the Upper Kelkit Valley with two new records and a checklist for Turkey

A faunistic study on the family Sphecidae (Hymenoptera) in the Upper Kelkit Valley with two new records and a checklist for Turkey

Isolation and characterization of FMRFamide-like peptides in the venoms of solitary sphecid wasps

Purification of small peptide components in the venoms of the solitary sphecid wasps, Sphex argentatus argentatus and Isodontia harmandi, led to the isolation of several major peptides. Analysis of MS/MS spectra by MALDI-TOF/TOF revealed the sequence of a new peptide Sa112 (EDVDHVFLRF-NH2), which is structurally very similar to leucomyosupressin (pQDVDHVFLRF-NH2) and SchistoFLRFamide (PDVDHVFLRF-NH2), the FMRFamide-like peptides from cockroach and locust, respectively. Indeed, this new peptide, like SchistoFLRFamide, inhibited the frequency and amplitude of spontaneous contractions of the locust oviduct in a dose-dependent manner. A non-amidated peptide Sa12b (EDVDHVFLRF) was also isolated, but this peptide had no effect on spontaneous locust oviduct contraction. This is the first example of a FMRF-like peptide to be found in solitary wasp venom. Additionally, a truncated form of the myosuppressins, which has previously been synthesized and tested for biological activity, DVDHVFLRF-NH2 (Sh5b), was found for the first time as a natural product. Four other novel peptides were isolated and characterized as Sa81 (EDDLEDFNPTVS), Sa10 (EDDLEDFNPTIA), Sh41 (DDLSDFNPKV), and Sh42 (EDDLSDFNPKV). They are structurally related to each other, having a high content of acidic amino acids, but no structural similarity to any known peptides. Ion channel associated activities of Sh41 and Sh42 were tested, but did not show any activity for Na+, K+, Ca2+ channels.

Aggregations of Polistes Wasps Over-Wintering in Artificial Red-Cockaded Woodpecker Cavities

We document blockage of artificial Dryobates borealis (Red-cockaded Woodpecker) cavities by family Sphecidae (mud daubers) and large mixed-species aggregations of wintering Polistes (paper wasps) in cavity inserts at Great Dismal Swamp NWR in southeast Virginia. The large aggregations that we encountered are the only known cases of more than 2 paper wasp species cohabitating. Activity of Red-cockaded Woodpeckers within a cluster lessened the likelihood that paper wasps will aggregate in cavities, but not the likelihood that mud daubers will nest in cavities. The moist and saturated soils that predominate our field site may explain why these insects are more abundant compared to drier, upland habitats. Additionally, removal of hardwood trees may increase the breeding season habitat quality for paper wasps that hunt and nest in areas that are more open, while simultaneously limiting potential winter hibernacula habitat, typically found in mature hardwood tree cavities for Red-cockaded Woodpeckers. Common cavity management and translocation techniques may need to be altered to mitigate greater paper wasp and mud dauber activity at Red-cockaded Woodpecker cavity inserts in Pinus serotina (Pond Pine) pocosin habitat. We suggest using graduated rubber stoppers rather than screens that fail to exclude insect taxa or conducting translocations prior to the formation of winter aggregations of paper wasps.

Қазақстанның қазғыш және құм араларының (Hymenoptera: Sphecidae, Crabronidae) биологиялық ерекшеліктері

The article summarizes the main biological features of burrowing and sand wasps. Knowledge of them is of great importance in the development of ways to use useful species, control harmful ones and preserve the overall diversity. The fauna of burrowing and sand wasps in Kazakhstan is rich and diverse. It includes about 800 species. In accordance with modern taxonomy, the burrowing (Sphecidae) and sand (Crabronidae) wasps (which until recently were included in the single family Sphecidae) now belong as independent families to the superfamily Apoidea of the suborder stalk-bellied Hymenoptera. A characteristic feature of the biology of these wasps is the care of the offspring, which consists in the construction of special nests and the preparation of provisions for the larvae in the form of paralyzed or killed insects or spiders. Hunting for these arthropods, wasps perform an important role in nature in regulating their numbers and stabilizing biocenoses.

FURTHER SPREADOF THE ALIEN INVASIVE SPHECID WASP ISODONTIA MEXICANA(SAUSSURE, 1867) (HYMENOPTERA SPHECIDAE) INITALY

The knowledge of the spread of the alien invasive sphecid wasp Isodontia mexicana(Saussure, 1867) (Hymenoptera Sphecidae) in Italyis improvedwith new recordsfor Sicily, representing the southernmostlimit in Europe. Brief notes on identificationand a discussion on distribution, invasiveness,and biology are provided.A revised distributional map of the species in Italy is provide

First checklist of Tunisian sphecid wasps (Hymenoptera: Sphecidae) with new and additional records

The first checklist of Sphecidae of Tunisia is established. It is based on literature, on examination of Tunisian specimens present in the Muséum National d'Histoire Naturelle, Paris, France), and on specimens recently collected in Tunisia. Fifty-three species and subspecies belonging to 10 genera, 3 tribes and 4 subfamilies are listed. Three species: Parapsammophila errabunda (Kohl, 1901), Eremochares luteus (Taschenberg, 1869) and Prionyx macula (Fabricius, 1804) are recorded for the first time from Tunisia.

The evolution of parental care strategies in subsocial wasps

Insect parental care strategies are particularly diverse, and prolonged association between parents and offspring may be a key precursor to the evolution of complex social traits. Macroevolutionary patterns remain obscure, however, due to the few rigorous phylogenetic analyses. The subsocial sphecid wasps are a useful group in which to study parental care because of the diverse range of strategies they exhibit. These strategies range from placing a single prey item in a pre-existing cavity to mass provisioning a pre-built nest, through to complex progressive provisioning where a female feeds larvae in different nests simultaneously as they grow. We show that this diversity stems from multiple independent transitions between states. The strategies we focus on were previously thought of in terms of a stepping-stone model in which complexity increases during evolution, ending with progressive provisioning which is a likely precursor to eusociality. We find that evolution has not always followed this model: reverse transitions are common, and the ancestral state is the most flexible rather than the simplest strategy. Progressive provisioning has evolved several times independently, but transitions away from it appear rare. We discuss the possibility that ancestral plasticity has played a role in the evolution of extended parental care.Significance statementParental care behaviour leads to prolonged associations between parents and offspring, which is thought to drive the evolution of social living. Despite the importance of insect parental care for shaping the evolution of sociality, relatively few studies have attempted to reconstruct how different strategies evolve in the insects. In this study, we use phylogenetic methods to reconstruct the evolution of the diverse parental care strategies exhibited by the subsocial digger wasps (Sphecidae). Contrary to expectations, we show that parental care in this group has not increased in complexity over evolutionary time. We find that the ancestral state is not the simplest, but may be the most flexible strategy. We suggest that this flexible ancestral strategy may have allowed rapid response to changing environmental conditions which might explain the diversity in parental care strategies that we see in the digger wasps today.

Primer registro de Sceliphron caementarium (Drury, 1773) (Hymenoptera: Sphecidae) en las Islas Baleares, con una clave de identificación para las especies del archipiélago del género Sceliphron Klug, 1801

Díaz-Calafat, J. 2020. First record of Sceliphron caementarium (Drury, 1773) (Hymenoptera: Sphecidae) in the Balearic Islands, with an identification key to the archipelago’s species of the genus Sceliphron Klug, 1801. Ecosistemas 29(1):1939. https://doi.org/10.7818/ECOS.1939 The Black and Yellow Mud Dauber wasp (Sceliphron caementarium (Drury 1773)) is reported for the first time from two distant locations of the island of Mallorca (Balearic Islands, Spain). Possible entry pathways of this potentially invasive species to the archipelago are discussed, as well as potential threats to local biodiversity and ecologically relevant questions raised by the arrival of this new species in the archipelago. The addition of S. caementarium to the Balearic fauna raises the number of species in the genus Sceliphron Klug 1801 to four; with half of them being recent introductions of potentially invasive exotic species. Finally, an illustrated identification key to the Balearic species of the genus Sceliphron is presented in order to ease their identification in the future. Readers are encouraged to use the key and send new records of these species within the Balearic Islands to the author or to online biodiversity recording platforms in order to help studying the dispersion of introduced sphecid wasps and update the distribution data of native and introduced species.

New distributional records of the family Sphecidae (Hymenoptera) in Azerbaijan

New distributional records of the family Sphecidae (Hymenoptera) in Azerbaijan