Introduction

The Ampulicidae, often referred to as ‘cockroach wasps’, are a small, primarily tropical family with 14 species described for Australia. The family is characterised by their small to moderate size (4–14 mm), very deep and complete notauli, mid tibia with two spurs, and jugal lobe of the hind wing small or absent. Ampulicids are ectoparasitoids of adult and nymphal cockroaches (Blattodea), with females often foraging in leaf litter for hosts. They sting and partly paralyse the cockroach which is then dragged or herded to a concealed place where an egg is laid on it. One species has been observed to lead a cockroach host by one of its antennae to a suitable oviposition location. When the egg hatches the larva feeds upon the immobilised, still-fresh cockroach.

General References

Engel, M. 2005. Family-Group Names for Bees (Hymenoptera: Apoidea). American Museum Novitates 3476: 1-33

Ohl, M. 2002. A revision of the wasp genus Dolichurus Latreille, 1809 in Australia (Hymenoptera: Apoidea: Ampulicidae). Insect Systematics and Evolution 33(1): 35-51

Özdikmen, H. 2005. Five new substitute names for Hymenoptera (Insecta) genera. Journal of Entomological Science 40: 237-239

History of changes

History of changes

• Aphelotoma Westwood, J.O. 1841. In Proceedings of the Entomological Society of London. (Descriptions of the following exotic hymenopterousal insects belonging to the family Sphegidae). Annals and Magazine of Natural History 1 7: 151-152 [152].

  Type species:

   Aphelotoma tasmanica Westwood, 1841 by monotypy.

Distribution

States

New South Wales, Queensland, South Australia, Tasmania, Victoria, Western Australia

IBRA

NSW, Qld, SA, Tas, Vic, WA: Australian Alps (AA), Avon Wheatbelt (AW), Brigalow Belt North (BBN), Brigalow Belt South (BBS), Ben Lomond (BEL), Broken Hill Complex (BHC), Central Mackay Coast (CMC), Cobar Peneplain (CP), Cape York Peninsula (CYP), Desert Uplands (DEU), Darling Riverine Plains (DRP), Einasleigh Uplands (EIU), Esperance Plains (ESP), Eyre Yorke Block (EYB), Flinders Lofty Block (FLB), Flinders (FLI), Gawler (GAW), Geraldton Sandplains (GS), Jarrah Forest (JF), Kanmantoo (KAN), King (KIN), Mallee (MAL), Murray Darling Depression (MDD), Mulga Lands (ML), Nandewar (NAN), Naracoorte Coastal Plain (NCP), New England Tablelands (NET), NSW North Coast (NNC), NSW South Western Slopes (NSS), Riverina (RIV), Sydney Basin (SB), South East Coastal Plain (SCP), South East Corner (SEC), South Eastern Highlands (SEH), South Eastern Queensland (SEQ), Swan Coastal Plain (SWA), Tasmanian Central Highlands (TCH), Tasmanian Northern Midlands (TNM), Tasmanian Northern Slopes (TNS), Tasmanian South East (TSE), Tasmanian Southern Ranges (TSR), Tasmanian West (TWE), Victorian Midlands (VM), Victorian Volcanic Plain (VVP), Warren (WAR), Wet Tropics (WT), Yalgoo (YAL)

History of changes

• Aphelotoma affinis Turner, R.E. 1910. Additions to our knowledge of the fossorial wasps of Australia. Proceedings of the Zoological Society of London 1910: 253-356 [341].

  Type data:

   Holotype BMNH ♀, Townsville, QLD.

Distribution

States

Queensland

Extra Distribution Information

Known only from type locality.

IBRA

Qld: Brigalow Belt North (BBN), Brigalow Belt South (BBS), Central Mackay Coast (CMC), Cape York Peninsula (CYP), Desert Uplands (DEU), Einasleigh Uplands (EIU), NSW North Coast (NNC), South Eastern Queensland (SEQ), Wet Tropics (WT)

Ecological Descriptors

Adult: volant.

Larva: predator, sedentary.

Extra Ecological Information

Prey Blattodea.

History of changes

• Aphelotoma auricula Riek, E.F. 1955. Australian Ampulicidae (Hymenoptera: Sphecoidea). Australian Journal of Zoology 3: 131-144 [139].

  Type data:

   Holotype ANIC ♂, 10 miles south of Bowen, QLD.

Distribution

States

Queensland

Extra Distribution Information

Only published localities near Bowen and Caloundra.

IBRA

Qld: Brigalow Belt North (BBN), Brigalow Belt South (BBS), Central Mackay Coast (CMC), Cape York Peninsula (CYP), Desert Uplands (DEU), Einasleigh Uplands (EIU), NSW North Coast (NNC), South Eastern Queensland (SEQ), Wet Tropics (WT)

Ecological Descriptors

Adult: volant.

Larva: predator, sedentary.

Extra Ecological Information

Prey Blattodea.

History of changes

• Aphelotoma fuscata Riek, E.F. 1955. Australian Ampulicidae (Hymenoptera: Sphecoidea). Australian Journal of Zoology 3: 131-144 [139].

  Type data:

   Holotype ANIC ♀, Catherine Hill, NSW.

Distribution

States

New South Wales

Extra Distribution Information

Known only from type locality.

IBRA

NSW: NSW North Coast (NNC), Sydney Basin (SB), South East Corner (SEC), South Eastern Queensland (SEQ)

Ecological Descriptors

Adult: volant.

Larva: predator, sedentary.

Extra Ecological Information

Prey Blattodea.

History of changes

• Aphelotoma melanogaster Riek, E.F. 1955. Australian Ampulicidae (Hymenoptera: Sphecoidea). Australian Journal of Zoology 3: 131-144 [135].

  Type data:

   Holotype ANIC ♂, Blundells, ACT.

Distribution

States

New South Wales, Queensland

IBRA

NSW, Qld: Australian Alps (AA), Brigalow Belt North (BBN), Brigalow Belt South (BBS), Broken Hill Complex (BHC), Central Mackay Coast (CMC), Cobar Peneplain (CP), Cape York Peninsula (CYP), Desert Uplands (DEU), Darling Riverine Plains (DRP), Einasleigh Uplands (EIU), Murray Darling Depression (MDD), Mulga Lands (ML), Nandewar (NAN), New England Tablelands (NET), NSW North Coast (NNC), NSW South Western Slopes (NSS), Riverina (RIV), Sydney Basin (SB), South East Corner (SEC), South Eastern Highlands (SEH), South Eastern Queensland (SEQ), Wet Tropics (WT)

Ecological Descriptors

Adult: volant.

Larva: predator, sedentary.

Extra Ecological Information

Prey Blattodea.

History of changes

• Aphelotoma nigricula Riek, E.F. 1955. Australian Ampulicidae (Hymenoptera: Sphecoidea). Australian Journal of Zoology 3: 131-144 [138].

  Type data:

   Holotype ANIC ♂, Blundells, ACT.

Distribution

States

New South Wales, Queensland

Extra Distribution Information

Only published localities Stanthorpe, Barrington Tops, Goulburn and Blundells.

IBRA

NSW, Qld: Australian Alps (AA), Brigalow Belt North (BBN), Brigalow Belt South (BBS), Broken Hill Complex (BHC), Central Mackay Coast (CMC), Cobar Peneplain (CP), Cape York Peninsula (CYP), Desert Uplands (DEU), Darling Riverine Plains (DRP), Einasleigh Uplands (EIU), Murray Darling Depression (MDD), Mulga Lands (ML), Nandewar (NAN), New England Tablelands (NET), NSW North Coast (NNC), NSW South Western Slopes (NSS), Riverina (RIV), Sydney Basin (SB), South East Corner (SEC), South Eastern Highlands (SEH), South Eastern Queensland (SEQ), Wet Tropics (WT)

Ecological Descriptors

Adult: volant.

Larva: predator, sedentary.

Extra Ecological Information

Prey Blattodea.

History of changes

• Aphelotoma rufiventris Turner, R.E. 1914. New fossorial Hymenoptera from Australia and Tasmania. Proceedings of the Linnean Society of New South Wales 38: 608-623 [618].

  Type data:

   Holotype BMNH ♂, Kuranda, QLD.

Distribution

States

Queensland

Extra Distribution Information

Only published localities Kuranda, Bowen, Stradbroke Is., Caloundra and Stanthorpe.

IBRA

Qld: Brigalow Belt North (BBN), Brigalow Belt South (BBS), Central Mackay Coast (CMC), Cape York Peninsula (CYP), Desert Uplands (DEU), Darling Riverine Plains (DRP), Einasleigh Uplands (EIU), Mulga Lands (ML), Nandewar (NAN), NSW North Coast (NNC), South Eastern Queensland (SEQ), Wet Tropics (WT)

Ecological Descriptors

Adult: volant.

Larva: predator, sedentary.

Extra Ecological Information

Prey Blattodea.

General References

Riek, E.F. 1955. Australian Ampulicidae (Hymenoptera: Sphecoidea). Australian Journal of Zoology 3: 131-144 (redescription)

History of changes

• Aphelotoma striaticollis Turner, R.E. 1910. Additions to our knowledge of the fossorial wasps of Australia. Proceedings of the Zoological Society of London 1910: 253-356 [341].

  Type data:

   Holotype BMNH ♀, Townsville, QLD.

Distribution

States

Queensland

Extra Distribution Information

Only published localities Townsville, Kuranda.

IBRA

Qld: Brigalow Belt North (BBN), Brigalow Belt South (BBS), Central Mackay Coast (CMC), Cape York Peninsula (CYP), Desert Uplands (DEU), Einasleigh Uplands (EIU), NSW North Coast (NNC), South Eastern Queensland (SEQ), Wet Tropics (WT)

Ecological Descriptors

Adult: volant.

Larva: predator, sedentary.

Extra Ecological Information

Prey Blattodea.

History of changes

Taxonomic Decision for Subspecies Arrangement

• Riek, E.F. 1955. Australian Ampulicidae (Hymenoptera: Sphecoidea). Australian Journal of Zoology 3: 131-144 [136-137]

Distribution

States

New South Wales, South Australia, Tasmania, Victoria, Western Australia

IBRA

NSW, SA, Tas, Vic, WA: Australian Alps (AA), Avon Wheatbelt (AW), Brigalow Belt South (BBS), Ben Lomond (BEL), Broken Hill Complex (BHC), Cobar Peneplain (CP), Darling Riverine Plains (DRP), Esperance Plains (ESP), Eyre Yorke Block (EYB), Flinders Lofty Block (FLB), Flinders (FLI), Gawler (GAW), Geraldton Sandplains (GS), Jarrah Forest (JF), Kanmantoo (KAN), King (KIN), Mallee (MAL), Murray Darling Depression (MDD), Mulga Lands (ML), Nandewar (NAN), Naracoorte Coastal Plain (NCP), New England Tablelands (NET), NSW North Coast (NNC), NSW South Western Slopes (NSS), Riverina (RIV), Sydney Basin (SB), South East Coastal Plain (SCP), South East Corner (SEC), South Eastern Highlands (SEH), South Eastern Queensland (SEQ), Swan Coastal Plain (SWA), Tasmanian Central Highlands (TCH), Tasmanian Northern Midlands (TNM), Tasmanian Northern Slopes (TNS), Tasmanian South East (TSE), Tasmanian Southern Ranges (TSR), Tasmanian West (TWE), Victorian Midlands (VM), Victorian Volcanic Plain (VVP), Warren (WAR), Yalgoo (YAL)

History of changes

• Aphelotoma auriventris Turner, R.E. 1907. New species of Sphegidae from Australia. Annals and Magazine of Natural History 7 19: 268-276 [269].

  Type data:

   Holotype BMNH ♂, Grampian Hills, VIC.

Distribution

States

New South Wales, South Australia, Western Australia

IBRA

NSW, SA, WA: Australian Alps (AA), Avon Wheatbelt (AW), Brigalow Belt South (BBS), Broken Hill Complex (BHC), Cobar Peneplain (CP), Darling Riverine Plains (DRP), Esperance Plains (ESP), Eyre Yorke Block (EYB), Flinders Lofty Block (FLB), Gawler (GAW), Geraldton Sandplains (GS), Jarrah Forest (JF), Kanmantoo (KAN), Mallee (MAL), Murray Darling Depression (MDD), Mulga Lands (ML), Nandewar (NAN), New England Tablelands (NET), NSW North Coast (NNC), NSW South Western Slopes (NSS), Riverina (RIV), Sydney Basin (SB), South East Corner (SEC), South Eastern Highlands (SEH), South Eastern Queensland (SEQ), Swan Coastal Plain (SWA), Warren (WAR), Yalgoo (YAL)

Ecological Descriptors

Adult: volant.

Larva: predator, sedentary.

Extra Ecological Information

Prey Blattodea.

History of changes

• Aphelotoma tasmanica Westwood, J.O. 1841. In Proceedings of the Entomological Society of London. (Descriptions of the following exotic hymenopterousal insects belonging to the family Sphegidae). Annals and Magazine of Natural History 1 7: 151-152 [152].

  Type data:

   Syntype(s) whereabouts unknown ♀, TAS.

Distribution

States

Tasmania, Victoria

IBRA

Tas, Vic: Australian Alps (AA), Ben Lomond (BEL), Flinders (FLI), King (KIN), Murray Darling Depression (MDD), Naracoorte Coastal Plain (NCP), South East Coastal Plain (SCP), South East Corner (SEC), South Eastern Highlands (SEH), Tasmanian Central Highlands (TCH), Tasmanian Northern Midlands (TNM), Tasmanian Northern Slopes (TNS), Tasmanian South East (TSE), Tasmanian Southern Ranges (TSR), Tasmanian West (TWE), Victorian Midlands (VM), Victorian Volcanic Plain (VVP)

Ecological Descriptors

Adult: volant.

Larva: predator, sedentary.

Extra Ecological Information

Prey Blattodea.

History of changes

• Dolichurus Latreille, P.A. 1809. Genera Crustaceorum et Insectorum secundum ordinem naturalem in familias disposita, iconibus exemplisque plurimus explicata. Parisiis et Argentorati : A. Koenig Vol. 4 399 pp. [387].

  Type species:

   Pompilus corniculus Spinola, 1808 by subsequent designation, see Latreille, P.A. 1810. Considération Générales sur l'Order Naturel des Animaux Composant les Classes des Crustacés, des Arachnides et des Insectes; avec un Tableau Méthodique de leurs Genres Disposés en Familles. Paris : F. Schoell viii 444 pp. [this work is the subject of Opinions 11 and 136, ICZN, and is on the Official List of Works approved as available for Zoological Nomenclature] [438].
• Thyreosphex Ashmead, W.H. 1904. A new genus and some new species of Hymenoptera from the Philippine Islands. The Canadian Entomologist 36: 281-285 [282].

  Type species:

   Thyreosphex stantoni Ashmead, 1904 by monotypy.

History of changes

• Dolichurus astos Ohl, M. 2002. A revision of the wasp genus Dolichurus Latreille, 1809 in Australia (Hymenoptera: Apoidea: Ampulicidae). Insect Systematics and Evolution 33(1): 35-51 [38].

  Type data:

   Holotype ANIC ♀, Bulburin State Forest via Many Peaks, QLD [24°32'S, 151°34'E].

History of changes

• Dolichurus carbonarius Smith, F. 1869. Descriptions of new genera and species of exotic Hymenoptera. Transactions of the Entomological Society of London 1869: 301-311 pl. vi [303].

  Type data:

   Holotype BMNH ♀, Champion Bay, WA.

History of changes

• Dolichurus crenatus Ohl, M. 2002. A revision of the wasp genus Dolichurus Latreille, 1809 in Australia (Hymenoptera: Apoidea: Ampulicidae). Insect Systematics and Evolution 33(1): 35-51 [45].

  Type data:

   Holotype ANIC ♂, Mt Byron area, D'Aguilar Range, QLD [27°10'S, 152°44'E].

History of changes

• Dolichurus yungaburra Ohl, M. 2002. A revision of the wasp genus Dolichurus Latreille, 1809 in Australia (Hymenoptera: Apoidea: Ampulicidae). Insect Systematics and Evolution 33(1): 35-51 [46].

  Type data:

   Holotype ANIC ♀, 9 km north east Julatten, QLD [16°36'S, 145°20'E].

History of changes

• Riekefella Özdikmen, H. 2005. Five new substitute names for Hymenoptera (Insecta) genera. Journal of Entomological Science 40: 237-239 [238] [replacement name; Austrotoma Riek, 1955].
• Austrotoma Riek, E.F. 1955. Australian Ampulicidae (Hymenoptera: Sphecoidea). Australian Journal of Zoology 3: 131-144 [141] [junior homonym; Austrotoma Finlay, 1924].

  Type species:

   Aphelotoma aterrima Turner, 1907 by original designation.

Distribution

States

Queensland

IBRA

Qld: Brigalow Belt North (BBN), Brigalow Belt South (BBS), Central Mackay Coast (CMC), Cape York Peninsula (CYP), Desert Uplands (DEU), Einasleigh Uplands (EIU), NSW North Coast (NNC), South Eastern Queensland (SEQ), Wet Tropics (WT)

History of changes

• Aphelotoma aterrima Turner, R.E. 1907. New species of Sphegidae from Australia. Annals and Magazine of Natural History 7 19: 268-276 [268].

  Type data:

   Holotype BMNH ♂, Kuranda, QLD.

Distribution

States

Queensland

Extra Distribution Information

Only published localities Kuranda and Mackay.

IBRA

Qld: Brigalow Belt North (BBN), Brigalow Belt South (BBS), Central Mackay Coast (CMC), Cape York Peninsula (CYP), Desert Uplands (DEU), Einasleigh Uplands (EIU), NSW North Coast (NNC), South Eastern Queensland (SEQ), Wet Tropics (WT)

Ecological Descriptors

Adult: volant.

Larva: predator, sedentary.

General References

Riek, E.F. 1955. Australian Ampulicidae (Hymenoptera: Sphecoidea). Australian Journal of Zoology 3: 131-144 (redescription, generic placement)

History of changes

History of changes

• Ampulex Jurine, L. 1807. Nouvelle méthode de classer les Hyménoptères et les Diptères. Genève : Paschold iv 319 pp. + 1 unnumbered pp., 1–14 pl. [132].

  Type species:

   Ampulex fasciata Jurine, 1807 by monotypy.
• Pronaeus Latreille, P.A. 1809. Genera Crustaceorum et Insectorum secundum ordinem naturalem in familias disposita, iconibus exemplisque plurimus explicata. Parisiis et Argentorati : A. Koenig Vol. 4 399 pp. [56].

  Type species:

   Dryinus aeneus Fabricius, 1804 by subsequent designation, see Latreille, P.A. 1810. Considération Générales sur l'Order Naturel des Animaux Composant les Classes des Crustacés, des Arachnides et des Insectes; avec un Tableau Méthodique de leurs Genres Disposés en Familles. Paris : F. Schoell viii 444 pp. [this work is the subject of Opinions 11 and 136, ICZN, and is on the Official List of Works approved as available for Zoological Nomenclature] [438].
• Lorrhoeum Shuckard, W.E. 1837. Essay on the Indigenous Fossorial Hymenoptera; comprising a description of all the British species of burrowing sand wasps contained in the metropolitan collections; with their habits as far as they have been observed. London : Shuckard xii XII pp., one pl., 252 + [2] pp., pl. 1–4, [4] pp. [18].

  Type species:

   Chlorion compressum Fabricius, 1804 (= Sphex compressus Fabricius, 1781) by original designation.
• Rhinopsis Westwood, J.O. 1844. Illustrations of some genera of fossorial hymenopterous insects belonging to the family Sphegidae. pp. 65-68 in Westwood, J.O. Arcana Entomologica: or illustrations of new, rare, and interesting insects. London : William Smith Vol. 2 pp. 192, pls 49-95. [68].

  Type species:

   Rhinopsis abbotti Westwood, 1844 (= Ampulex canaliculata Say, 1823) by monotypy.
• Waagenia Kriechbaumer, J. 1874. Ueber die Gattung Ampulex, die 2 europäischen Arten derselben und eine neue Art aus Sikkim. Stettiner Entomologische Zeitung 35: 51-56 [55].

  Type species:

   Waagenia sikkimensis Kriechbaumer, 1874 by monotypy.
• Chlorampulex Saussure, H. de 1892. Histoire naturelle des Hyménoptères. in Grandidier, A. (1890–1892) Histoire Physique, Naturelle et Politique de Madagascar. Paris : Imprimerie Nationaleue Vol. 20 xxi 590 pp. [441].

  Type species:

   Sphex compressus Fabricius, 1781 by subsequent designation, see Pate, V.S.L. 1937. The generic names of the sphecoid wasps and their type species (Hymenoptera: Aculeata). Memoirs of the American Entomological Society 9: 1-103 [18].

Excluded Taxa

Misidentifications

Ampulex micans Kohl, 1893 [originally attributed to 'Australia or Mexico', see Bohart, R.M. & Menke, A.S. (1976: 78)]

Distribution

States

Queensland

Extra Distribution Information

Widespread.

IBRA

Qld: Brigalow Belt North (BBN), Brigalow Belt South (BBS), Central Mackay Coast (CMC), Cape York Peninsula (CYP), Desert Uplands (DEU), Einasleigh Uplands (EIU), NSW North Coast (NNC), South Eastern Queensland (SEQ), Wet Tropics (WT)

Distribution References

General References

Bohart, R.M. & Menke, A.S. 1976. Sphecid Wasps of the World: a Generic Revision. Berkeley : Univ. California Press ix 695 pp.

History of changes

• Sphex compressus Fabricius, J.C. 1781. Species insectorum, exhibentes eorum differentias specificas, synonyma auctorum, loca natalia, metamorphosin adiectis observationibus, descriptionibus. Hamburg et Kilonii : C. E. Bonn Vol. 1 viii + 552 pp. [Date published March 1781: Evenhuis 1997] [445].

  Type data:

   Holotype BMNH ♀, Malabar.
• Ampulex sinensis Saussure, H. de 1867. Hymenoptera. In, Reise der österreichischen Fregatte Novara um die Erde in den Jahren 1857, 1858, 1859 den unter den Befehlen des Commodore B. von Wüllerstorf-Urbair. Zoologischer Theil. Wien : K-K Hof- und Staatsdrückerei Vol. 2(1a) 138 pp. [43].

  Type data:

   Holotype NHMW ♂, Hong Kong, China.
• Chlorampulex striolata Saussure, H. de 1892. Histoire naturelle des Hyménoptères. in Grandidier, A. (1890–1892) Histoire Physique, Naturelle et Politique de Madagascar. Paris : Imprimerie Nationaleue Vol. 20 xxi 590 pp. [446].

  Type data:

   Holotype MHNG ♀, Zanzibar, Tanzania.

Distribution

States

Queensland

IBRA

Qld: Brigalow Belt North (BBN), Brigalow Belt South (BBS), Central Mackay Coast (CMC), Cape York Peninsula (CYP), Desert Uplands (DEU), Einasleigh Uplands (EIU), NSW North Coast (NNC), South Eastern Queensland (SEQ), Wet Tropics (WT)

Ecological Descriptors

Adult: volant.

Larva: predator, sedentary.

Extra Ecological Information

Nest in stems or crevices, prey Blattodea.

General References

Krombein, K.V. 1979. Biosystematic studies of Ceylonese wasps, A monograph of the Ampulicidae (Hymenoptera: Sphecoidea). Smithsonian Miscellaneous Collections 298: 1-29 (redescription, biology)

Smith, F. 1856. Catalogue of Hymenopterous Insects in the Collection of the British Museum. Part IV, Sphegidae, Larridae and Crabronidae. London : British Museum pp. 207-497. (generic placement)

History of changes