Notes on the natural history of Stizus perrisii ibericus Beaumont (Hymenoptera: Sphecidae)

Abstract

A study of the biology of Stizus perrisii ibericus revealed some aspects about the behaviour of males, the nesting behaviour of females, and larval development. The slow mass provisioning of this species is compared with the provisioning behaviour of S. continuus and S. pulcherrimus. Cocoons are constructed in seven stages although, compared with other species, there are differences in the duration of each stage. Natural enemies of the wasp include miltogrammine flies, several cuckoo wasps, and velvet ants.

Keywords :

• Nesting behaviour
• Hymenoptera
• Sphecidae
• Stizus
• Spain