Wasps and Bees in Southern Africa
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SANBI Biodiversity Series 24 Wasps and bees in southern Africa by Sarah K. Gess and Friedrich W. Gess Department of Entomology, Albany Museum and Rhodes University, Grahamstown Pretoria 2014 SANBI Biodiversity Series The South African National Biodiversity Institute (SANBI) was established on 1 Sep- tember 2004 through the signing into force of the National Environmental Manage- ment: Biodiversity Act (NEMBA) No. 10 of 2004 by President Thabo Mbeki. The Act expands the mandate of the former National Botanical Institute to include respon- sibilities relating to the full diversity of South Africa’s fauna and flora, and builds on the internationally respected programmes in conservation, research, education and visitor services developed by the National Botanical Institute and its predecessors over the past century. The vision of SANBI: Biodiversity richness for all South Africans. SANBI’s mission is to champion the exploration, conservation, sustainable use, appreciation and enjoyment of South Africa’s exceptionally rich biodiversity for all people. SANBI Biodiversity Series publishes occasional reports on projects, technologies, workshops, symposia and other activities initiated by, or executed in partnership with SANBI. Technical editing: Alicia Grobler Design & layout: Sandra Turck Cover design: Sandra Turck How to cite this publication: GESS, S.K. & GESS, F.W. 2014. Wasps and bees in southern Africa. SANBI Biodi- versity Series 24. South African National Biodiversity Institute, Pretoria. ISBN: 978-1-919976-73-0 Manuscript submitted 2011 Copyright © 2014 by South African National Biodiversity Institute (SANBI) All rights reserved. No part of this book may be reproduced in any form without written per- mission of the copyright owners. The views and opinions expressed do not necessarily reflect those of SANBI. The author and publisher have made their best efforts to prepare this book, and make no representation or warranties of any kind with regard to the completeness or accuracy of the contents herein. All images in this book have been reproduced with the knowledge and prior consent of the artists concerned and no responsibility is accepted by the publisher or printer for any infringement of copyright or otherwise arising from the contents of this publication. Every effort has been made to ensure that the credits accurately comply with the information supplied by the author. Obtainable from: SANBI Bookshop, Private Bag X101, Pretoria, 0001 South Africa. Tel.: +27 12 843 5104. E-mail: [email protected]. Website: www.sanbi.org. Dedication For Howard Evans, Karl Krombein and Charles Michener who inspired and encouraged us. CONTENTS Acknowledgements ................................................................................................................ 1 Introduction ............................................................................................................................. 2 The importance of wasps and bees ..................................................................................... 2 About this book ..................................................................................................................... 2 Classifications of wasps, bees and plants .................................................................. 2 Identification of bees, pollen wasps and wasps ........................................................ 3 Flower visiting records .................................................................................................. 3 Morphology and life history of wasps and bees ................................................................ 3 Morphology of the adult ................................................................................................ 3 Life history ...................................................................................................................... 5 References and further reading ............................................................................................ 7 SECTION I: Wasps and bees in the semi-arid to arid areas of southern Africa .............. 9 1. Distribution of semi-arid to arid areas of southern Africa ............................. 9 References and further reading ...................................................................... 15 2. Geographical affinities of wasps and bees in the semi-arid to arid areas of southern Africa ............................................................................................ 16 References and further reading ...................................................................... 19 3. Plants as a direct and indirect energy resource for wasps and bees with comments on the payback services rendered to plants .............................. 20 Plants as a direct source of energy for wasps and bees ................................................ 20 Diversity of plant taxa visited by wasps and bees for obtaining floral resources ........ 24 Plant families and their wasp and bee visitors ................................................................ 24 Dicots ............................................................................................................................ 24 Monocots ......................................................................................................................66 Final remarks on pollinators and plants .................................................................... 68 Plants as an indirect source of energy for wasps ........................................................... 68 Hunting wasps ............................................................................................................. 68 ‘Parasitic’ wasps .......................................................................................................... 82 References and further reading .......................................................................................... 82 4. Nesting and community structure .................................................................. 86 References and further reading .....................................................................111 5. The impact of agricultural land use and coastal exploitation on the diversity of wasps and bees ..........................................................................113 References and further reading .....................................................................119 SECTION II: A review of known nesting, provisioning and associates of bees, pollen wasps and hunting wasps in southern Africa ................................................................. 120 Chrysidoidea ....................................................................................................................... 120 Family Chrysididae ........................................................................................................... 120 Family Bethylidae .............................................................................................................. 123 Family Dryinidae ............................................................................................................... 123 Family Sclerogibbidae ...................................................................................................... 123 Family Embolemidae ........................................................................................................ 123 Family Plumariidae ........................................................................................................... 123 Family Scolebythidae ....................................................................................................... 123 References and further reading ........................................................................................ 123 Vespoidea ............................................................................................................................ 125 Family Vespidae ................................................................................................................ 125 Family Pompilidae ............................................................................................................ 162 Family Rhopalosomatidae................................................................................................ 177 Family Tiphiidae ................................................................................................................ 177 Family Mutillidae ............................................................................................................... 177 Family Bradynobaenidae ................................................................................................. 180 Family Scoliidae ................................................................................................................ 180 Family Sapygidae .............................................................................................................. 181 References and further reading ........................................................................................ 181 Apoidea: Spheciformes ..................................................................................................... 186 Family Ampulicidae .......................................................................................................... 186 Family Sphecidae .............................................................................................................. 189 Family Crabronidae ..........................................................................................................