Bembecinus floridanus

Krombein & Willink, 1951

sand wasp

Bembecinus floridanus is a small sand wasp in the Crabronidae, first described by Krombein & Willink in 1951. As a member of the Bembecinus, it exhibits the characteristic traits of this group: strongly convergent at the bottom of the and strongly divergent at the top of the , along with a or nearly petiolate second submarginal in the forewing. The is found in North America and, like other Bembecinus, is a solitary ground-nesting that provisions its larvae with prey.

Pronunciation

How to pronounce Bembecinus floridanus: //bɛmˈbɛsɪnəs flɔːrɪˈdeɪnəs//

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Identification

Key diagnostic features include that are strongly convergent ventrally (at the bottom of the ) and strongly divergent dorsally (at the top of the ), and a or nearly petiolate second submarginal in the forewing. These traits distinguish it from similar sand wasps in the subtribe Bembecina (such as Bembix and Microbembex) and align it with the subtribe Stizina. Small size (estimated 8-10 mm for related ) and ground-nesting in sandy substrates are additional field characteristics.

Habitat

Sandy substrates suitable for burrow excavation. Based on -level documentation, nesting occurs in loose, sandy soils where females can dig tunnels.

Distribution

North America. The specific epithet "floridanus" suggests a primary association with Florida, though precise range boundaries within North America are not well documented in available sources.

Similar Taxa

  • Bembix spp.Both are sand wasps in tribe Bembicini, but Bembix has different wing venation and structure; Bembecinus has second submarginal and strongly convergent/divergent eyes
  • Microbembex spp.Similar small size and ground-nesting habit, but Microbembex lacks the distinctive convergence pattern and wing of Bembecinus
  • Bicyrtes spp.Superficially similar in size and , but Bicyrtes belongs to subtribe Bembecina rather than Stizina, with different wing and characters

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Sources and further reading