The Biology and Research History of the Solitary Wasp Genus Bembix (Hymenoptera: Bembicidae): A Brief Review

Abstract Wasps of the genus Bembix (Fabricius) have enjoyed over 300 years as subjects of interest to entomologists and ethologists due to their large size and repertoire of dramatic nesting behaviors. This research history began with these wasps as the focus of brief behavioral accounts, which developed over time to yield detailed studies of the habits of individual species, as well as comparative studies of behavior. This work has revealed that Bembix is behaviorally diverse, with most aspects of their nesting habits showing variation both within and between species. Ultimately, this research history has made Bembix one of the best-known groups of solitary aculeate wasps. At the same time, much work remains to be done on Bembix. While the genus' behavioral diversity is well-recognized, it has not nearly been fully characterized, with the majority of Bembix species remaining unstudied in the field. Furthermore, no phylogeny has ever been published for the genus, and its evolutionary and biogeographic history remains essentially unknown. Thus, this review presents an overview of historical and biological information on Bembix with the aim of stimulating further work on this behaviorally diverse genus.