Family SPHECIDAE (s. str.)

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Introduction

As now recognised, this family constitutes only the subfamily Sphecinae of previous authors following the division of Sphecidae sensu lato into two families, Sphecidae sensu stricto and Crabronidae, on phylogenetic grounds. Sphecidae s.str. now comprise 48 species in Australia. Sphecids are medium to large wasps (8–40 mm) and are distinguished by having a very distinctive elongate petiolate waist that comprises only metasomal sternite 2 (S2), and a large jugal lobe on the hind wing. In addition, many species have bright contrasting colours of black and yellow or black and red.

Adult sphecids feed on nectar or honeydew, while females prey on a range of insect groups as well as spiders with which they provision their nests. Sceliphrini provision their nests with various spiders (Araneae). The large orange and black common mud-dauber (Sceliphron laetum), may be seen at flowers feeding on nectar or buzzing loudly around trees and buildings. A single female builds a multi-tiered nest of many cells covered in extra layers of mud in sheltered places such as rock overhangs or piles, tree trunks or buildings. This wasp can sometimes be seen collecting mud at the edges of streams or dams. As the wasp spreads mud to build the nest it vibrates and the vibrations help to distribute the mud evenly. The female stings and paralyses up to 20 spiders that are placed in cells inside the nest. An egg is then laid in each cell and the developing larva feeds on the paralysed spiders. The metallic blue Chalybion bengalense found in northern Australia nests in pre-existing cavities. Ammophilini prey on lepidoperan (moth and butterfly) larvae in soil, whereas Sphecini are predators of Orthoptera (grasshoppers and crickets).

General References

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

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

Evans, H.E. & Hook, A.W. 1984. Nesting behaviour of a Lyroda predator (Hymenoptera : Sphecidae) on Tridactylus (Orthopterla : Tridactylidae). Australian Entomological Magazine 11: 16-18

Gauld, I. & Bolton, B. (Eds.) 1988. The Hymenoptera. Oxford : Oxford University Press 332 pp.

Hanson, P. & Gauld, I. 1995. The evolution, classification and identification of the Hymenoptera. pp. 138-156 in Hanson, P. & Gauld, I. (eds). The Hymenoptera of Costa Rica. Oxford : Oxford University Press xx 893 pp.

Naumann, I.D. 1983. The biology of mud nesting Hymenoptera (and their associates) and Isoptera in rock shelters of the Kakadu Region, Northern Territory. Australian National Parks and Wildlife Service Special Publication 10: 127-189 [Date published 31/12/1983]

Smithers, C.N. 1990. First record of Psocoptera as prey of Australian Sphecidae (Hymenoptera). Australian Entomological Magazine 17(2): 42

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