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CONTRIBUTION TO THE KNOWLEDGE OF THE SOUTH AFRICAN

SPECIES OF THE GENUS CERAMIUS LATREILLE (HYMENOPTERA:

MASARIDAE)

F. W. GEss

South African Museum, Cape Town

( With 1 map)

CONTENTS

PAGE

Introduction . ; ‘ 4 : , . 40) QUG)

Descriptions of Species and Distribution Records . . 219

Discussion of the Distribution of the Genus Ceramius . 228

Summary : ‘ 5 j : : : - 230

Acknowledgements . : : F , ; a) QBN

References : : : : ’ ; : a AB

INTRODUCTION

While arranging the Masaridae in the collection of the South African

Museum according to the recent revision of the family by Richards (1962), it

was found that this material, which was unfortunately not seen by Richards,

supplemented his account in several instances, especially in the genus Ceramius

Latreille.

In the present paper, dealing with the above genus, the hitherto unknown

2 of clypeatus Richards and 3 of metanotalis Richards are described; the 3

assigned by Richards to peringueyi Brauns is removed from that species and

together with a matching Q is described as a new species, richardsi, and lastly,

rex de Saussure is resurrected. The locality records of all the specimens in the

collection are given in the hope that these may aid in presenting a more

complete picture of the distribution of the various South African species.

Finally the distribution of the genus as a whole is discussed in the light of the

biology of these wasps.

The sequence of species followed is nearly the same as that adopted by

Richards, and this paper closely follows the presentation set by the latter in his

revision. South African Museum is here abbreviated to S.A.M.

DESCRIPTIONS OF SPECIES AND DISTRIBUTION RECORDS

Ceramuus cerceriformis de Saussure

Ceramius cerceriformis de Saussure, 1853: xxi, g; Richards, 1962: 97, 3, 2.

Ceramius (Ceramioides) cerceriformis de Saussure, 1854: pl. 4, fig. 1, 3; 1855: 72, 3.

Cerceris vespiformis de Saussure, 1855: 79, 9.

219

Ann. S. Afr. Mus. 48 (11), 1965: 219-231, 1 map.

220 ANNALS OF THE SOUTH AFRICAN MUSEUM

No specimens were found in the South African Museum collection that

could be assigned to this species.

Ceramius schulthesst Brauns

Ceramius schulthessi Brauns, 1902: 182, 2; Brauns, 1913: 196, pl. 2, fig. 6, J, 2; Richards, 1962: gg.

Specimens examined: Cape Province: Willowmore, no date, 399 (one

marked as co-type), I. xii. 1904, 9, xi. 1917, 2 99 (Dr. Brauns); Augusfontein,

Calvinia, ix. 1947, 3 22 (S.A.M. Staff); Oudtshoorn, Zebra, x. 1951, 3 9?

(S.A.M. Staff) ; Touws River—Hondewater (18 miles E. of Touws River), xii.

1962, 2 (S.A.M. Staff); Bloutoring Station (30 miles E. of Touws River), xii.

1962, 4 99 (S.A.M. Staff).

Namaqualand: Between Kamieskroon and Springbok, x. 1939, 4 dd

4 99 (S.A.M. Staff); Wallekraal, x. 1950, 2 (S.A.M. Staff).

Ceramius peringuey: Brauns

Ceramius peringueyi Brauns, 1913: 194, 9; Richards, 1962: 100 [2 only].

[non] Ceramius peringueyi Brauns, Richards, 1962: 100, $ [ = richards: sp. n.].

Specimens examined: Cape Province: Stellenbosch, x. 1888, holotype 2

(L. Peringuey) (Transvaal Museum) ; Het Kruis, x. 1947, 3 99 (S.A.M. Staff) ;

Paleisheuwel, xi. 1948, 9 (S.A.M. Staff).

Ceramius clypeatus Richards

Ceramius clypeatus Richards, 1962: 99, 6.

Q. Black; raised disk of clypeus to a variable degree, inner orbits at

deepest portions of ocular sinus, spot of variable size on tempora, usually a

small spot on prepectus, variably sized spot at apex of scutellum, rarely a

minute spot on propodeal spine, occasionally a short basal streak along outer

side of fore tibiae and rarely indicated basal spots on outer side of mid and

hind tibiae, spots at sides of gastral tergites 1-4 and usually also on 5, sometimes

produced inwards on 2-5 either forming narrow continuous or interrupted

bands, creamy-white to yellowish.

Underside of antennal joints 4-12 though sometimes fewer, legs except

coxae, trochanters and base of femora, orange. Wings light fuscous, veins brown.

Length 14-16 mm., length of fore wing 10:5-11-5 mm., hamuli 18-24.

Altogether very similar indeed to the male, the peculiarly modified

clypeus, for example, except in its greater width in the female, being virtually

identical in the two sexes. The chief secondary sexual structural differences are

the following: eyes somewhat smaller, further apart, interocular distance at

level of sockets twice length of scape (without radicle); antennal scape less

curved and less robust, segment 3 shorter, only half as long as scape (without

radicle), 4-10 progressively wider, 10 about 14 times as wide as long, 11-12 a

little narrower; fore trochanter simple.

CONTRIBUTION TO KNOWLEDGE OF CERAMIUS LATREILLE 221

From the specimens examined it appears that in both sexes the longer spur

of the hind tibia is not originally simple but may become so by the loss or

wearing away of the fine spines situated near the tip of the spur. While the

trifid condition is common, there is a specimen with a 4-spined spur and others

with all graduations to the simple condition.

Specimens examined: Cape Province: Clanwilliam, Nardouw, ix. 1941,

Ir gd, 2 9G (S.A.M. Staff) ; Het Kruis, x. 1947, 7 gg (S.A.M. Staff) ; Citrusdal

Dist., xi. 1948, 5 92 (S.A.M. Staff); 4 miles S. of Clanwilliam, ix. 1961, 2

(S.A.M. Staff).

Ceramius richardsi sp. n.

Ceramius peringueyi (non Brauns) Richards, 1962: 100 [partim, 3 only].

The 3 of this new species, which has been adequately described by

Richards, was unfortunately assigned by him to peringueyt Brauns to which

species it most certainly does not belong. This misidentification was made

obvious by the discovery in the collection of the South African Museum of a

hitherto undescribed 2 which closely matches Richards’ ¢ in all important

characters such as the unusual form of the clypeus. That this latter character

is of value in associating the sexes is demonstrated by the discovery, also in the

South African Museum collection, of the hitherto undescribed @ of clypeatus

Richards, a closely related species, the 3 of which was used by Richards as a

comparison in describing what he thought was the ¢ of peringuey: Brauns. In

clypeatus Richards the form of the clypeus is common to both sexes. I have

pleasure in naming the 3 under consideration and the here described matching

9 after the author, Professor Richards. The true ¢ of peringuey: Brauns is thus

still unknown.

2. Black; spot on mandibles near base, large discal spot on clypeus, inner

orbits to top of ocular sinus, streak at top of tempora, two widely separated

streaks on hind margin of pronotum, dot at apex of scutellum, moderately

large spot on prepectus, small anterior spots at base of fore tibiae and end of mid

femora, narrow lateral spots on gastral tergites 1-5 (tergite 6 hidden) produced

inwards and forming narrow incomplete bands on tergites 2-3 and centrally

widened ones on 4-5, creamy-white.

Antennal segments 4-12 beneath, portions of mandibles, anterior vertical

portion of clypeus beneath disk, whole of legs except coxae of all legs and

trochanters and bases of femora on mid and hind legs, reddish.

Wings fuscous, venation dark brown.

Length 15 mm., length of fore wing 10 mm., hamuli 21.

Head, thorax and gaster with long, rather dense, whitish hairs. Mandibles

strongly striate distally, ending in two large blunt teeth with a smaller more

dorsal one. Clypeus elongate, strongly raised, anteriorly falling at right angles

towards ventral margin; length of vertical part 2 length of disk; from just

below point of inflection two small curved teeth project upwards; ventral

222 ANNALS OF THE SOUTH AFRICAN MUSEUM

margin produced, somewhat lamellate, truncate and slightly emarginate; disk

narrower at apex than at base; anterior-lateral margins raised and slightly

lamellate. Antennal sockets separated by 34 times their diameter; interocular

distance at level of sockets twice the length of scape (without radicle); total

length of scape 34 times greatest width (at apex); segment 2 very short, 3

slightly shorter than 4+5+6, 4-12 all of about same length, 4-10 becoming

gradually and progressively wider, 11 slightly narrower than 10, 12 narrower

still, rounded at apex. Disk of clypeus and small, roughly triangular area above

it and between antennal sockets almost smooth; frons punctured; posterior

ocelli a little in front of hind margin of eyes; distance between eye and posterior

ocellus: distance between posterior ocelli = 10 : 7; occiput behind eye some-

what wider than interocellar distance; occipital keel present.

Thorax with fairly coarse, separated punctures, the interstices shining,

about as wide or wider than the punctures. Mesoscutum shining; prescutal

furrows deep over their entire length, especially so behind. Raised disk of

scutellum with rounded edges and without a central keel.

Metanotum with a central prominence, lateral depressions fairly deep but

open. Tegula smooth and shining, only the base punctured. Propodeum with

fairly long blunt spines; posterior surface almost flat; spiracle with anterior

margin strongly produced backwards. Fore tibial spur regularly curved, tip

somewhat recurved. Mid and hind tibiae with two spurs, longer spur of hind

tibia simple. Inner keel of hind coxa present on proximal half only. Claws

simple. Gaster shining; tergite 1 constricted posteriorly, more finely punctured

than thorax; tergites 2-6 becoming progressively finer punctured, 2 somewhat

contracted at base.

Specimens examined: Cape Province: Clanwilliam, 1x. 1928 (Dr. Brauns),

Holotype g (Transvaal Museum, Pretoria); Paleisheuwel, xi. 1948 (S.A.M.

Staff), Allotype 9 (S.A.M.).

The female has ten mites present on the axillae and lateral depressions

of the metanotum.

Ceramius nigripennis de Saussure

Ceramius (Paraceramius) nigripennis de Saussure, 1854: pl. 3, fig. 4, 2; 1855: 60.

Ceramius nigripennis de Saussure, Richards, 1962: 100.

Ceramius hessei Turner, 1935: 296, 3, 9.

[non] Ceramuis nigripennis of other authors.

Specimens examined: Namaqualand: Kamieskroon, ix. 1930, ¢ holotype,

2 allotype of C. hesset Turner, 24 29 (S.A.M. Staff); between Kamieskroon and

Springbok, x. 1939, 3, 2 (S.A.M. Staff) ; Bowesdorp, xi. 1931, gd, ix. 1941, 2 dd

(S.A.M. Staff); Outiep, Garies, ix. 1953, ¢ (J. du Toit).

Ceramius toriger von Schulthess

Ceramius toriger von Schulthess, 1935: 383, 9; Richards, 1962: 101.

Specimens examined: Cape Province: Augusfontein, Calvinia, ix. 1947,

19 99 (S.A.M. Staff) ; Tankwa Karoo, Waterval, xi. 1952, 10 99 (S.A.M. Staff) ;

5 miles N. of Nieuwoudtville, ix. 1961, 2 99 (S.A.M. Staff).

CONTRIBUTION TO KNOWLEDGE OF CERAMIUS LATREILLE 223

A single female from Namaqualand: Knersvlakte, x. 1950 (S.A.M. Staff),

differs from the description of this species and from the above listed specimens

in that the light coloured markings are more extensive and are yellow, not ivory.

Structurally there are no differences. The distribution of the yellow markings

is given below.

Black; large spots on basal half of mandibles, clypeus (except for oblique

black streaks arising from bottom of antennal sockets, infuscation between ends

of these streaks and lateral margins, and ferruginous lateral and apical margins),

a large pentagonal spot enclosing a black triangle on frons above clypeus, inner

orbits to centre of ocular sinus, spots behind eyes, uninterrupted pronotal band

extending onto sides, large spots on mesopleura, sides of mesonotum next to

tegulae, a small median spot in posterior region of mesoscutum, posterior

quarter of scutellum and centre of metathorax, streaks on axillae, whole of

propodeum behind level! of spiracles, broad apical bands widened laterally on

tergites 1-5, tergite 6 except for depressed area, whole of sternite 2, wide apical

bands on sternites 3 and 4, portions of femora and tibiae, yellow.

In addition, the antennae are much lighter in colour, the scape being

largely yellow.

Ceramius braunsit Turner

Ceramius braunsi Turner, 1935: 294, d, 2; Richards, 1962: 101.

Specimens examined: Cape Province: Olifants River, between Citrusdal

and Clanwilliam, x—xi. 1931, ¢ holotype, ? allotype, 3 gd, 32 99 (S.A.M.

Staff); Pakhuis Pass, Clanwilliam, ix. 1942, 9 (S.A.M. Staff); 4 miles S. of

Clanwilliam, ix. 1961, 2 gg, 2 99 (S.A.M. Staff).

Ceramius jacoti Richards

Ceramius jacott Richards, 1962: 101, d, 9.

Ceramius nigripennis (non de Saussure) Brauns, 1913: 201, pl. 2, fig. 3, 3.

Specimens examined: Cape Province: Hex River, i. 1884, 9; Oudtshoorn,

Zebra, x. 1951, 17 99 (S.A.M. Staff); Ouberg Pass, S.E. of Touws River, xii.

1962, 2 (S.A.M. Staff); Verkeerde Vlei, Touws River—Hottentots Kloof, xii.

1962, 11 99 (S.A.M. Staff); Constable, xii. 1962, 2 (S.A.M. Staff); Touws

River—Ouberg Pass, xii. 1962, 2 (S.A.M. Staff); 8 miles N.E. of Touws River,

xil. 1962, 9 (S.A.M. Staff); Bloutoring Station, 30 miles E. of Touws River, xii.

1962, 98 99 (S.A.M. Staff).

Ceramius beyert Brauns

Ceramius beyert Brauns, 1903: 69, g, 2; Richards, 1962: 102, figs. 105-9.

Specimens examined: Cape Province: Willowmore, no date, 2 cotype,

2 99 (Dr. Brauns) ; Somerset East, 25-30. xi. 1930, g, 9 (R.E. Turner) ; Nieuveld

224 ANNALS OF THE SOUTH AFRICAN MUSEUM

Escarpment, Rietvlei, i. 1949, 2 (S.A.M. Staff); Tankwa Karroo, Renoster

River, xi. 1952, 116 99 (S.A.M. Staff); Constable, xii. 1962, 3 99 (S.A.M.

Staff); Matroosberg Station, xii. 1962, 2 (S.A.M. Staff); Touws River—

Hondewater (18 miles E. of 'Touws River), xii. 1962, 2 99 (S.A.M. Staff) ;

Bloutoring Station, 30 miles E. of Touws River, xii. 1962, 2 99 (S.A.M. Staff).

Ceramius damarinus ‘Turner

Ceramius damarinus Turner, 1935: 293, 3, 2; Richards, 1962: 102.

Specimens examined: 8.W. Africa: Ongandjera, ill. 1923, type g, 2 gd

cotypes, g, type 9 (S.A.M. Staff); Kamanyab, iii. 1925, 2 gg (S.A.M. Staff).

Ceramius lichtensteini (Klug)

Gnatho lichtensteinit Klug, 1810: 36, 38, pl. 1, fig. 3, e and f.

Ceramius lichtensteinit (Klug), Klug, 1824: 225; de Saussure, 1855: 73, 2; Brauns, 1913: 193;

Bequaert, 1928: 145; Richards, 1962: 102.

Ceramius macrocephalus de Saussure, 1854: pl. 3, fig. 2, 2; Brauns, 1903: 65, 68, 3, 9°.

Ceramius rufomaculatus Cameron, 1906: 325, 9.

[non] ?Ceramius rex de Saussure, Richards, 1962: 102.

Specimens examined: Cape Province: Willowmore, 15. xli. 1899, dg, 10. 1.

1900, 2 (Dr. H. Brauns); Dunbrody, 1900, 3, 9 (Rev. O’Neil), 1901, 9 (J. A.

O’Neil) ; Uitenhage, Dunbrody, no date, 9 (Rev. O’Neil) ; Pearston, 1905, 2 99

(Dr. Broom) ; Aberdeen, xi. 1935, 9 (S.A.M. Staff) ; Tankwa Karroo, Waterval,

x1. 1952, 21 34,9 99 (S.A.M. Staff); Bloutoring Station, 30 miles E. of TTouws

River, xii. 1962, 2 99 (S.A.M. Staff).

South West Africa: Damaraland, 1890, 9 (R. Lightfoot). It is very doubt-

ful whether this last record is correct.

Ceramius caffer de Saussure

Ceramius caffer de Saussure, 1855: 76, 2; Richards, 1962: 104, figs. 110-113, 115, 6, &.

Ceramius consobrinus de Saussure, 1855: 77, 2; Brauns, 1913: 198, 3, 2.

Specimens examined: Cape Province: Stellenbosch, x. 1888, 3 gd, 2 99,

no date, 2 (L. Peringuey), 1908, 26 99 (C. P. Lounsbury).

All the specimens carry mites in the acarinarium.

Ceramius metanotalis Richards

Ceramius metanotalis Richards, 1962: 106, fig. 114, 9.

$- Black; whole disk of mandibles, labrum, clypeus except very narrow

margins, roughly rectangular area above and between antennal sockets

(separated from clypeus by a narrow black line at suture and produced slightly

upwards at inner margins of antennal sockets and with a small black tubercle

at centre), narrow orbits up to centre of eye emargination, small occipital spots

behind upper portion of eyes, underside of antennal scape, underside of 2nd

CONTRIBUTION TO KNOWLEDGE OF CERAMIUS LATREILLE 225

segment and basal two thirds of 3rd segment, pronotal band (narrowly inter-

rupted at centre and produced on to humerus and to tegula), a minute spot on

postero-lateral corner of mesoscutum and inner corner of axilla, sometimes a

small spot at tip of scutellum, sometimes a very narrow streak on lower part of

axilla, a spot at angles of propodeum, a single dorsal spot on mesopleuron, legs

(except dorsal portions of coxae and trochanters, hind surface of middle and

hind femora and tips of tarsal segments 3, 4 and 5 of above legs), inner margin

of tegula, distal part of humeral plate, large spot on each side of first gastral

tergite (not or only narrowly joined at hind margin), bands on tergites 2-5

(strongly widened at sides and plano-convex medially at hind margins),

posterior portion of tergite 6 and small spot at sides of tergite 7, almost all of

sternites 2—5 and sides of sternites 6 and sometimes 7, pale yellow.

Antennal flagellum except some black dorsal suffusion on all segments

bar the last, ferruginous. Wings faintly brownish, veins brown. Length 17, 18, 19

mm., length of fore wing 12, 13, 13 mm., hamuli (20, 21), 22 (20, 22).

The chief secondary sexual structural differences are the following: Sides

of clypeus more converging ventrally; margin narrower and very slightly

concave. Eyes larger, a lot closer together; interocular distance at level of

sockets = 1-5 times length of scape (without radicle) (2-2 in 9). Antennal scape

strongly widened, curved as in 9; segment 3 flattened in side view, narrow

except at apex, a little shorter than scape (without radicle) and slightly longer

than 4+5+6; 4-11 becoming progressively wider; 12 forming a powerful,

long, flattened and fairly wide hook, curved at base and at apex; inner surface

of hook with a low, off-central, longitudinal carina on distal half; 8-10 with a

shining, slightly raised transverse swelling beneath; entire underside of 11

swollen and shining. Fore trochanter with a very large, crescentic lobe, curving

outwards, outer edge transparent, somewhat sinuate. Segment 1 of mid tarsus

longer, curved; 2—5 strikingly laterally compressed, wide in side view; 3 and 4

almost oval in outline. Gaster with tergite 7 elongate, apically with a wide,

shallow, angular emargination; sternite 3 with disk transversely swollen,

raised on each side into a mound ending in a blunt tubercle, without raised

preapical lateral keels; sternite 4 unmodified in structure; disks of both sternites

3 and 4 covered with dense white pubescence; sternites 7 and 8 very similar to

those of caffer de Saussure; prominence on 7 more pronounced.

Specimens examined: Cape Province: Bulhoek, Klaver—Clanwilliam,

X. 1950, 3 dd, 27 99 (S.A.M. Staff).

Six of the 27 females have mites in the acarinium. The three males are free

of mites, however.

Ceramius rex de Saussure

Ceramius rex de Saussure, 1855: 75, 2; Turner, 1935: 290.

Ceramius lichtensteinii (non Klug), Richards, 1962: 102.

A single female specimen from Namaqualand: Klipvlei, Garies, xi. 1931

(S.A.M. Staff), believed to be this species, bears the label ‘Ceramius rex Sauss. Q,

226 ANNALS OF THE SOUTH AFRICAN MUSEUM

det. Turner’. Concerning this specimen, Turner (1935: 290-1) correctly stated

that it corresponds to the description of rex de Saussure, but measures only 19

mm., not 24. His further statement that it is allied to lichtensteini (Klug) is

incorrect for the specimen is entirely different from the latter species, being

allied to caffer de Saussure and metanotalis Richards, though distinct from both

of these. Richards (1962: 102) treated rex de Saussure as a doubtful synonym of

lichtensteintt (Klug) but did not see the specimen now under consideration

which appears to be the true rex de Saussure. The following is a description of

this specimen.

Q. Black; clypeus, a large, broad pentagonal spot between the antennae

and above the clypeus (from which it is separated by a narrow black line at

suture), a narrow streak on inner margins of eyes below, streak in ocular sinus,

spot on mandibles near base, underside of scape, spots behind eyes (joined

along occipital margin), pronotal band produced onto humerus and to tegula

(leaving a triangular black area on side), spot at postero-lateral corner of

mesoscutum, inner corner and streak on lower part of axilla, posterior part of

scutellar disk and flap of posttegula, central area of metanotum and portion

below acarinarium, whole of propodeum (except for black region anterior to

spiracles on sides, black lateral streaks on posterior surface near junction with

metanotum and two black marks just above oriface), a large spot on meso-

pleuron, spots on anterior surface of coxae 2 and 3, portions of trochanters,

greater part of femora and tibiae of all legs, inner margin of tegula, wide

posterior bands widening on sides on gastral tergites 1-5, almost whole disk of

6, two small streaks on posterior area of sternite 1, whole of sternites 2-5 except

extreme base of 2, pale yellow.

Anterior margin of clypeus, distal half of mandibles, antennal flagellum

(except some black dorsal suffusion), some suffusion on tibiae and entire tarsi,

suffusion on gastral sternite 6, ferruginous. Wings faintly brownish, veins brown.

Length 19 mm., length of fore wing 13:8 mm., hamuli 23.

Head, thorax and base of first gastral segment with long whitish hairs,

densest on head, dense on pleura, sides and angles of propodeum; rest of gaster

with very fine tomentum-like pubescence.

Clypeus one third longer than wide at ventral margin, moderately coarsely

punctured; ventral margin truncate, sharply angled, with a fairly wide, smooth

border. Antennal sockets separated by 4:1 times their diameter; interocular

distance at level of sockets twice the length of scape (without radicle) ; scape

(without radicle) almost 3 times as long as greatest width; segment 2 very short,

broader than long; 3 half as long as scape (without radicle), twice as long as

greatest width, of same length as 4+5+6; 4-10 progressively wider; 10 about

twice as wide as long; 11 and 12 a little narrower. Frons dull, finely punctured;

POL : OOL = 1 : 1:7; posterior ocelli about half ocellar diameter in front of

hind margin of eyes; occipital keel absent. Pronotum with spiracular lobe well

defined by a furrow; lateral furrow partially obscured by legs, apparently

rather weak; anterior margin apparently not markedly keel-like; dorsal surface

CONTRIBUTION TO KNOWLEDGE OF CERAMIUS LATREILLE 227

finely and closely punctured. Mesoscutum dull, finely, confluently punctured;

prescutal furrows well marked over their entire length, especially behind;

parapsidal furrows fairly weak; median notal suture marked anteriorly by a

smooth, shining, unpunctured line, posteriorly marked by a furrow. Suture

between axilla and scutellum with a pit ventrally. Raised disk of scutellum

convex, in profile smoothly arcuate to posterior margin, with a well marked,

raised, median keel and moderate lateral keels posteriorly, dull, punctured like

mesoscutum; lateral declivities more shining, feebly punctured. Metanotum

with central prominence smooth; acarinaria present laterally; entrance to

acarinarium large, larger than that of caffer de Saussure, about 4 times longer

than wide, width nearly constant throughout, only very slightly wider laterally ;

part of metanotum in front of slit of about same width as latter. Mesopleuron

dull, with very close microscopic punctures and sparse coarse ones. Meta-

pleuron dull, with similar but less pronounced puncturation and with some

microscopic transverse striae on dorsal half; as in metanotalis Richards with a

marked bean-shaped depression dorsally in the posterior boundary. Propodeum

with angles rounded; posterior surface shallowly concave; spiracle long and

narrow with anterior margin produced backwards. Fore tibial spur regularly

curved, slightly recurved at apex; mid tibia with two spurs; larger spur of hind

tibia bifid. Claws with a small tooth. Gaster dull, with exceedingly minute and

close punctures, smaller than those of metanotalis Richards, and with very fine

tomentum; larger punctures completely absent from all tergites; tergite 1 very

transverse, nearly 34 times wider than long, a little constricted posteriorly,

with a hyaline border; tergite 2 constricted anteriorly, maximum width 1}

times greater than maximum width of tergite 1; tergite 3 of equal width

anteriorly as tergite 2 posteriorly; tergites 3-6 becoming progressively narrower;

sternites nearly flat, very closely and finely punctured.

Four mites are visible in the acarinaria.

Ceramius bicolor (Thunberg)

Philanthus bicolor Thunberg, 1815: 131, 289 [d].

Ceramius karooensis Brauns, 1902: 282, 2, 373, d.

Ceramius bicolor (Thunberg), Schulz, 1912: 68-69, 99; Bequaert, 1929: 79; Richards, 1962:

115, figs. 131, 132.

Specimens examined: Cape Province: Aberdeen, xi. 1935, 3 dd, 8 99°

(S.A.M. Staff); Murraysburg Dist., xi. 1935, 6 dd, 2 99 (S.A.M. Staff);

Augusfontein (Calvinia), ix. 1947, g, 2 99 (S.A.M. Staff); Oudtshoorn, Zebra,

X. 1951, g (S.A.M. Staff); Moordenaars Karoo, Lammerfontein, x. 1952, 3 92

(S.A.M. Staff); Willowmore—Vondeling, x. 1952, 2 (S.A.M. Staff); Rooinek

Pass, x. 1952, ¢ (S.A.M. Staff); Tankwa Karoo, Waterval, xi. 1952, 25 dd;

85 99 (S.A.M. Staff) ; Touws River-Hondewater (18 miles E. of Touws River),

xii. 1962, 5 gg, 5 22 (S.A.M. Staff); Bloutoring Station (30 miles E. of Touws

River), xii. 1962, 9 99 (S.A.M. Staff).

228 ANNALS OF THE SOUTH AFRICAN MUSEUM

Ceramius linearis Klug

Ceramius linearis Klug, 1824: 227, $; Richards, 1962: 115, figs. 128-130, 113 (8).

Ceramius (Paraceramius) linearis de Saussure, 1855: 71, d-

Ceramius fumipennis Brauns, 1902: 275, 3; 2; Bradley, 1922: 397 (correction of Brauns).

Specimens examined: Cape Province: Algoa Bay, 25. xii. 1898, g, 9

(Dr. H. Brauns); Dunbrody, 1g00, 2 (Rev. O’Neil); Aberdeen, xi. 1935, 9

(S.A.M. Staff).

Ceramius capicola Brauns

Ceramius capicola Brauns, 1902: 278, 3, 2; Bradley, 1922: 397; Richards, 1962: 117.

Specimens examined: Cape Province: Willowmore, 1. x. 1899, 2 (Dr. H.

Brauns) ; Somerset East, 25~-30. xi. 1930, 2 99, gj (R. E. Turner); Aberdeen,

xi. 1935, 73d; 3 2P (S.A.M. Staff); Murraysburg Dist., xi. 1935, 5 dd, 11 22

(S.A.M. Staff); Teekloof, Fraserburg Dist., xi. 1935, 5 dd, 2 (S.A.M. Staff) ;

Oukloof, Fraserburg Road, xi. 1936, 2 99 (S.A.M. Staff); Richmond Dist., xi.

1939, ¢ (S.A.M. Staff); Oudtshoorn, Zebra, x. 1951, 5 3d, 2 (S.A.M. Staff).

Ceramius socius Turner

Ceramius socius Turner, 1935: 297, 6, 2; Richards, 1962: 117, figs. 113 (a), 134-136.

Specimens examined: Cape Province: Montagu, x—x1. 1919, 2 (Collector’s

name not recorded) ; Worcester, ix. 1921, 2 9g, 2 92 (R. E. Turner) ; Verkeerde

Vlei (Touws River—Hottentots Kloof), xii. 1962, 3g, 13 92 (S.A.M. Sta);

Constable, xii. 1962, 3 92 (S.A.M. Staff); Matroosberg Station, x11. 1962, g,

9 (S.A.M. Staff); 8 miles N.E. of Touws River, xii. 1962, 9 (S.A.M. Staff).

DISCUSSION OF THE DISTRIBUTION OF THE GENUS Ceramius

The genus Ceramius occurs in two widely separated geographical regions

in the Old World, one being the extreme south-west of the Ethiopian Region

and the other that portion of the Palaearctic bordering on the Mediterranean

Sea. Thus, in the Ethiopan Region, the genus is in the main restricted to the

Cape Province where it is found in Little Namaqualand, the South Western

Cape, the Little Karroo and the southern parts of the Great Karroo. It does not

extend further east than the Great Fish River. Outside the Cape Province, one

species (damarinus Turner) is endemic to South West Africa (Kaokoveld and

Ovamboland), and one Eastern Cape species (capicola Brauns) has been recorded

from two localities (Kroonstad and Thaba Nchu) in the Orange Free State.

This distribution has been plotted by means of a 4° square grid system on an

outline plotting map (Map 1). In the Palaearctic, the genus occurs in Algeria,

Morocco, Gibraltar, Portugal, Spain, the south of France, Greece, Turkey,

Russian Armenia and probably Israel.

Climatically the above areas are characterised by a predominantly

winter rainfall while the vegetation is generally low and semi-desert in nature.

CONTRIBUTION TO KNOWLEDGE OF CERAMIUS LATREILLE

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Map 1. Distribution of the genus Ceram

230 ; ANNALS OF THE SOUTH AFRICAN MUSEUM

In South Africa, Ceramius favours those parts of the Karroid and False Karroid

areas (as defined by Acocks, 1953) which le within the winter rainfall region,

though two of the nineteen species, damarinus Turner and capicola Brauns, have

been recorded from summer rainfall regions.

A study of the records shows that in the southern hemisphere no species

flies earlier than September or later than March, while in the northern hemi-

sphere no species flies earlier than March or later than August. In other words,

flight is restricted to the dry spring and summer months succeeding the winter

rainy season.

Having ascertained where and when Ceramius occurs it seems of interest to

examine the reasons. In this connection the biology of the genus has to be taken

into account. As stated above, the adults fly during the dry months of the year

succeeding the winter rainy season. During this time mating takes place and

burrows lined with mud pellets are built in the ground and surmounted by

mud chimneys. In these the eggs are deposited and, in the South African

species at least, it is recorded by Brauns (1910, cited by Richards, 1962: 29)

that the female continues to provision the young with pollen and nectar until

these larvae are ready to pupate, when she seals the opening to the nest with a

plug of mud. There is only one generation per year.

Two requirements for the successful run of the life-history are immediately

apparent: there must be a copious supply of pollen and nectar at the time the

young are being reared and there must be an extended dry period, not only to

allow the adult to collect this pollen and nectar but also on account of the fact

that the burrows in the ground remain unplugged during the larval stage.

Despite some possible protection afforded by the chimneys, the larvae would

have little chance of survival in case of heavy rain.

The combination of winter rainfall followed by an abundance of suitable

flowers rich in pollen and nectar during an extended dry period is obviously

the clue to the distribution of the genus Ceramius. The only areas fulfilling these

requirements are those in which Ceramius occurs. In this connection it is likely

that the flowers visited by Ceramius will prove to be low-growing Compositae and

mesembryanthemums (Aizoaceae) which, following the winter rains, are such

a striking feature of the semi-desert areas inhabited by Ceramius in South Africa.

SUMMARY

The account of the South African species of Ceramius included in the

revision of the Masaridae by Richards (1962) is supplemented by the study of

the material in the South African Museum collection.

One new species, richards, and the hitherto unknown @ of clypeatus Richards

and ¢ of metanotalis Richards are described as is also a specimen thought to be

rex de Saussure. The locality records of all the specimens in the collection are

given and the distribution of the genus in South Africa is mapped. Lastly the

distribution of the genus as a whole is discussed with reference to the biology of

these wasps.

CONTRIBUTION TO KNOWLEDGE OF CERAMIUS LATREILLE 231

ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS

I wish to thank Dr. G. van Son of the Transvaal Museum, Pretoria for the

loan of type material of peringueyz Brauns, clypeatus Richards and metanotalis

Richards. The Trustees of the South African Museum are grateful to the

Council for Scientific and Industrial Research for a grant to publish this paper.

REFERENCES

Acocks, J. P. H. 1953. Veld types of South Africa. Mem. bot. Surv. S. Afr. 28: i-iv, 1-192.

BEQUAERT, J. 1928. A study of certain types of Diplopterous wasps in the collection of the

British Museum. Ann. Mag. nat. Hist. (10) 2: 138-176.

BEQUAERT, J. 1929. A new Pseudomasaris from California, with some considerations on the

Masarid wasps (Hymenoptera). Psyche 36: 61-88.

BRADLEY, J. C. 1922. The taxonomy of the Masarid wasps, including a monograph on the North

American species. Univ. California Publ., Tech. Bull. 1: 369-464.

Brauns, H. 1902-3. Beitrage zur Kenntnis siidafrikanischer Masariden (Hym.). <. Hymen.,

Dift. 2: 181-185, 275-282, 373-374 (1902); 65-73 (1903).

Brauns, H. rg1o. Biologisches tiber siidafrikanische Hymenopteren. Z. wiss. InsektBiol. 6:

384-387, 445-447.

Brauns, H. 1913. Dritter Beitrag zur Kenntnis der Masariden (Hym.) von Siidafrika. Ent. Mitt.

2: 193-209.

Cameron, P. 1906. Descriptions of some new species of Hymenoptera from Pearston, Cape

Colony. Trans. S. African phil. Soc. 16: 323-333.

Kuue, F. 1810. Einige neue Piezatengattungen. Mag. Ges. naturf. Freunde, Berlin 43 31-45.

Kuue, F. 1824. Entomologische Monographien. Berlin.

Ricuarps, O. W. 1962. A revisional study of the Masarid wasps (Hymenoptera, Vespoidea). London.

British Museum (Natural History).

SaussurE, H. de 1853. Note sur la tribu des Masariens, et principalement sur le Masaris vespi-

formis. Ann. Soc. ent. France (3) 1: Bull.: xvii-xxi.

Saussure, H. de 1854-5. Etudes sur Ja famille des Vespides. ITI. [Masaridae on pp. 1-96

( = 1855) and on plates 1-5 ( = 1854).]

ScHULTHEss, A von 1935. Some more South African Masaridae (Vespoidea). Ann. Mag. nat.

Hist. (10) 16: 383-390.

Scuutz, W. H. 1912. Aelteste und alte Hymenopteren Skandinavischer Autoren. Berl. ent. Z.

572 52-102.

TuHunBERG, C. P. 1815. Philanthi, generis insecti Hymenopteri, monographia. Nova Acta Soc.

Sci. Uppsala 7: 126-139.

Turner, R. E. 1935. Notes on the Masarid wasps of the genus Ceramius. Ann. Mag. nat. Hist. (10)

15: 290-299.

INSTRUCTIONS TO AUTHORS

MANUSCRIPTS

In duplicate (one set of illustrations), type-written, double spaced with good margins,

including TABLE oF CONTENTs and SumMARy. Position of text-figures and tables must be

indicated.

ILLUSTRATIONS

So proportioned that when reduced they will occupy not more than 4$ in. x 7 in. (7} in.

including the caption). A scale (metric) must appear with all photographs.

REFERENCES

Authors’ names and dates of publication given in text; full references at end of paper in

alphabetical order of authors’ names (Harvard system). References at end of paper must be

given in this order:

Name of author, in capitals, followed by initials; names of joint authors connected by &,

not ‘and’. Year of publication; several papers by the same author in one year designated by

suffixes a, b, etc. Full title of paper; initial capital letters only for first word and for proper

names (except in German). Title of journal, abbreviated according to World list of scientific

periodicals and underlined (italics). Series number, if any, in parenthesis, e.g. (3), (n-s.), (B.).

Volume number in arabic numerals (without prefix ‘vol.’), with wavy underlining (bold type).

Part number, only if separate parts of one volume are independently numbered. Page numbers)

first and last, preceded by a colon (without prefix ‘p’). Thus:

SmirH, A. B. 1956. New Plonia species from South Africa. Ann. Mag. nat. Hist. (12) 9: 937-945.

When reference is made to a separate book, give in this order: Author’s name; his initials;

date of publication; title, underlined; edition, if any; volume number, if any, in arabic numerals,

with wavy underlining; place of publication; name of publisher. Thus:

Brown, X. Y. 1953. Marine faunas. 2nd ed. 2. London: Green.

When reference is made to a paper forming a distinct part of another book, give: Name of

author of paper, his initials; date of publication; title of paper; ‘In’, underlined; name of

author of book; his initials; title of book, underlined; edition, if any; volume number, if any,

in arabic numerals, with wavy underlining; pagination of paper; place of publication; name

of publisher. Thus:

SmitrH, C. D. 1954. South African Plonias. Jn Brown, X. Y. Marine faunas. and ed. 3: 63-95.

London: Green.

SYNONYMY

Arranged according to chronology of names. Published scientific names by which a species

has been previously designated (subsequent to 1758) are listed in chronological order, with

abbreviated bibliographic references to descriptions or citations following in chronological

order after each name. Full references must be given at the end of the paper. Articles and

recommendations of the International code of zoological nomenclature adopted by the XV International

congress of zoology, London, July 1958, are to be observed (particularly articles 22 and 51).

Examples: Plonia capensis Smith, 1954: 86, pl. 27, fig. 3. Green, 1955: 23, fig. 2.

When transferred to another genus:

Euplonia capensis (Smith) Brown, 1955: 259.

When misidentified as another species:

Plonia natalensis (non West), Jones, 1956: 18.

When another species has been called by the same name:

[non] Plonia capensis: Jones, 1957: 27 (= natalensis West).