NOTES ON THE NESTS AND PREY OF FOUR AUSTRALIAN SPECIES OF TACHYSPHEX KOHL, WITH DESCRIPTION OF A NEW SPECIES (HYMENOPTERA: SPHECIDAE)

Abstract

Data on nests and prey are presented for four species of Australian Tachysphex: depressiventris Turner, mackayensis Turner, pilosulus Turner and multifasciatus Pulawski. T. mult[fasciatus (from Queensland and the Northern Territory) is described as new. The first two of these species attack cockroaches, the second two mantids. A discussion of structural features associated with predation on these insects is included. The nests are simple burrows in the ground terminating in one or two cells.

Observations on the Nesting and Prey of the Solitary Wasp,Tachysphex inconspicuus, with a Review of Nesting Behavior in theT. obscuripennisspecies group

“…More species complete cells with 2 prey than any other number: T. depressiventris (Evans et al 1976), T. inconspicuus (Buys 2007; this study), T. alayoi (Genaro 2004), T. fanuiensis (Williams 1932), and T. obscuripennis (Maneval 1932). Completed cells may contain a mix of adult and nymphal cockroaches.…”

“…Such a placement represents genus-atypical behavior and a possible diagnostic taxonomic character for this species group (Evans et al 1976; Kurczewski 2010). …”

“…In T. depressiventris , one or more legs are sometimes missing, perhaps related to malaxation of the prey by the wasp for purposes of feeding on hemolymph or possibly the struggle that ensued during capture of the cockroach (Evans et al 1976). …”

“…This group has numerous species in the Afrotropical, Oriental, and Australasian Regions (Evans et al 1976; Krombein and Pulawski 1994; Pulawski 1977, 2007). This group contains some of the more unusual species in the genus from the standpoint of morphology and behavior.…”

“…The Tachysphex obscuripennis species group is the only group known to prey on cockroaches ( Evans et al 1976 ; Krombein and Pulawski 1994 ; Kurczewski 2010 ; Pulawski 1971 , 1974 , 1988 , 2007 ). This group has numerous species in the Afrotropical, Oriental, and Australasian Regions ( Evans et al 1976 ; Krombein and Pulawski 1994 ; Pulawski 1977 , 2007 ). This group contains some of the more unusual species in the genus from the standpoint of morphology and behavior.…”