Abstract Background: The composition of the venom from solitary wasps is poorly known, although these animals are considered sources of bioactive substances. Until the present moment, there is only one proteomic characterization of the venom of wasps of the family Pompilidae and this is the first proteomic characterization for the genus Pepsis. Methods: To elucidate the components of Pepsis decorata venom, the present work sought to identify proteins using four different experimental conditions, namely: (A) crude venom; (B) reduced and alkylated venom; (C) trypsin-digested reduced and alkylated venom, and; (D) chymotrypsin-digested reduced and alkylated venom. Furthermore, three different mass spectrometers were used (Ion Trap-Time of Flight, Quadrupole-Time of Flight, and Linear Triple Quadruple). Results: Proteomics analysis revealed the existence of different enzymes related to the insect’s physiology in the venom composition. Besides toxins, angiotensin-converting enzyme (ACE), hyaluronidase, and Kunitz-type inhibitors were also identified. Conclusion: The data showed that the venom of Pepsis decorata is mostly composed of proteins involved in the metabolism of arthropods, as occurs in parasitic wasps, although some classical toxins were recorded, and among them, for the first time, ACE was found in the venom of solitary wasps. This integrative approach expanded the range of compounds identified in protein analyses, proving to be efficient in the proteomic characterization of little-known species. It is our understanding that the current work will provide a solid base for future studies dealing with other Hymenoptera venoms.

Resumen Introducción: Ephuta es un género de avispas mutílidas ampliamente distribuido en el Nuevo Mundo y cuya ecología es poco conocida. Objetivo: El objetivo de este trabajo fue determinar cómo varía la abundancia de especies de Ephuta anualmente y estacionalmente debido a las condiciones climáticas y sus hospederos. Métodos: Se examinaron especímenes de Ephuta tomados de muestras semanales (2001-2006) de diez trampas Malaise, ubicadas en el “bosque viejo” de Isla Barro Colorado. La abundancia mensual de cada especie de Ephuta se comparó con el promedio mensual de la humedad, la radiación solar, la temperatura y las precipitaciones. Resultados: Se identificaron nueve especies y diez morfoespecies. La mayoría de los especímenes fueron recolectados de marzo a junio. La mayor abundancia mensual promedio se dio en abril. De las cuatro variables abióticas medidas, solo la temperatura mensual promedio se correlacionó con la abundancia de Ephuta. Los meses con el mayor número de especímenes de Ephuta se correlacionan con la sospechosa abundancia del huésped, como lo indica la abundancia mensual de Pompilidae (Hymenoptera) capturada durante el 2007. Conclusiones: Ephuta muestra una fuerte variación estacional en la abundancia, con picos durante el final de la estación seca y el comienzo de la temporada de lluvias. Esta se correlaciona ampliamente con la temperatura y la abundancia de sus huéspedes pompílidos.

Abstract Introduction: Ephuta Say is a widespread New World genus of mutillid wasp whose ecology is poorly understood. Objective: The objective of this study was to determine how Ephuta species abundance varies annually and seasonally driven by weather conditions and hosts. Methods: Ephuta specimens, located in the “old forest” at Barro Colorado Island, were examined from weekly samples (2001-2006) of ten Malaise traps. The monthly abundance of each Ephuta species was compared with monthly average humidity, solar radiation, temperature and rainfall. Results: Nine species and ten morphospecies were identified. Most specimens were collected from March to June. April was the month reported with the greatest abundance. Of the four abiotic variables measured, only average monthly temperature was correlated with Ephuta abundance. Months with the highest number of Ephuta specimens were correlated with suspected host abundance, as indicated by the monthly abundance of Pompilidae (Hymenoptera) captured during the year 2007. Conclusions: We concluded that Ephuta display strong seasonal variation in abundance, with the peaks occurring during the end of the dry season and beginning of the rainy season, which correlate broadly with temperature and the abundance of their pompilid hosts.

Abstract Predatory wasps or hunters are important in ecosystems because they regulate the populations of other insects and spiders. In the state of Yucatán, these insects have been studied very little and in this work, their spatial and temporal diversity was determined in the 2 main vegetation types of Yucatán, low deciduous forest and the medium subcaducifolia forest. The material reviewed comes from Malaise traps placed in areas of vegetation types, which were active one year and from collections with aerial networks. We reviewed 877 individuals belonging to 4 families of predatory wasps (Crabronidae, Pompilidae, Sphecidae and Vespidae), 68 species were identified, being Crabronidae the richest family (26) and Pompilidae the most abundant (458 individuals). In the low deciduous forest, the highest abundance and species richness was found (86% and 91%, respectively) than in the medium subcaducifolia forest (48% and 13%). There were no differences in species richness and abundance between seasons of the year but the composition of species had low similarity. Ten new species records were found for Yucatán. Other studies of these wasps are suggested in the neotropics, especially in Mexico, and the importance of their biodiversity in the studied ecosystems is indicated for their conservation and possible use.

Resumen Las avispas depredadoras o cazadoras son importantes en los ecosistemas ya que regulan las poblaciones de otros insectos y arañas. En este trabajo se determinó la diversidad espacial y temporal de avispas depredadoras en los 2 tipos de vegetación principales del estado de Yucatán: selva baja caducifolia y selva mediana subcaducifolia. El material revisado proviene de trampas Malaise colocadas en áreas de los tipos de vegetación, que estuvieron activas 1 año y de recolectas con red aérea. Se revisaron 877 individuos pertenecientes a 4 familias de avispas depredadoras (Crabronidae, Pompilidae, Sphecidae y Vespidae), se identificaron 68 especies, siendo Crabronidae la familia con mayor riqueza (26) y Pompilidae la de mayor abundancia (458 individuos). En la selva baja caducifolia se encontró mayor abundancia y riqueza de especies (86% y 91%, respectivamente) que en la selva mediana subcaducifolia (48% y 13%). No hubo diferencias en la riqueza de especies y la abundancia entre temporadas del año, pero la composición de especies tuvo baja similitud. Se encontraron 10 nuevos registros de especies para Yucatán. Se sugieren otros estudios de estas avispas en el neotrópico, en especial en México, y se indica la importancia de su biodiversidad en los ecosistemas estudiados para su conservación y posible uso.

Abstract The Hymenoptera collection of the Museu de Zoologia da Universidade de São Paulo, Brazil (MZSP) houses one of the most important collections for the Brazilian and Neotropical wasp faunas. The present catalogue lists the type specimens of Pompiloidea, Thynnoidea and Vespoidea (Insecta, Hymenoptera) deposited in the MZSP. The collection includes a total of 422 type specimens (66 holotypes, 28 lectotypes, 278 paratypes, 45 paralectotypes, and five syntypes), being 91 Pompiloidea (40 Mutillidae type specimens of 10 genera and 25 species, 51 Pompilidae type specimens of 4 genera and 27 species), 191 Vespoidea (15 genera and 86 species of Vespidae), and 18 Thynnoidea (eight genera and 12 species of Thynnidae). All information written in labels was compiled and is presented along with additional data from the original descriptions, MZSP records and other sources. We provide Specimage links to high-resolution photographs of holotypes and lectotypes at the Hymenoptera image database of the Ohio State University.

Resumo: Os objetivos deste trabalho foram conhecer a fauna de Hymenoptera associada à cultura da melancia e avaliar a influência das armadilhas Pitfall, Moericke e McPhail na captura desses insetos, em ambiente semiárido no estado do Rio Grande do Norte. O levantamento foi realizado entre os meses de agosto e setembro de 2011, em área de produção comercial de melancia cv. Crimson Sweet. As coletas dos himenópteros foram realizadas, semanalmente, durante o ciclo da cultura. Para captura dos insetos, foram utilizados três tipos de armadilhas, Pitfall, Moericke e McPhail, na densidade de 20, 20 e 1 armadilha por hectare, respectivamente. As armadilhas foram instaladas sete dias após o plantio das sementes, e mantidas na área até a colheita dos frutos. Foram coletados um total de 3.123 himenópteros pertencentes a 10 superfamílias, distribuídas em 24 famílias. Formicidae foi a mais representativa, com abundância relativa total de 54,43%, seguida por Apidae com 17,96%. Foi observada também a presença de 18 famílias de himenópteros parasitoides (18,89%), com destaque para Platygastridae (6,60%), Encyrtidae (2,79%), Chalcididae (2,56%), Mymaridae (2,56%), Pompilidae (1,15%) e Trichogrammatidae (1,09%). Ressalta-se ainda a ocorrência das famílias de predadores Crabronidae (6,34%), Vespidae (2,24%) e Sphecidae (0,10%). Dentre as armadilhas, Moericke capturou a maior diversidade de Hymenoptera (24 famílias), seguida por Pitfall (11 famílias) e McPhail (sete famílias).

ABSTRACT: The aims of this study were to identify the Hymenoptera fauna associated with watermelon crops and assess the influence of Pitfall, Moericke and McPhail traps in capturing these insects in the semiarid environment of the state of Rio Grande do Norte, Brazil. The survey was conducted between the months of August and September, 2011, in a commercial watermelon cv Crimson Sweet production área. The collection of the Hymenoptera was conducted weekly during the crop cycle. To capture the insects, three types of traps were used, Pitfall, Moericke and McPhail, in densities 20, 20 and 1 trap per hectare, respectively. The traps were installed seven days after seeding and maintained in the area until harvest. A total of 3,123 Hymenoptera were collected, belonging to 10 superfamilies, and 24 families. Formicidae was the most representative, with a total relative abundance of 54.43%, followed by Apidae with 17.96%. The presence of 18 families of parasitoids (18.89%) was also observed, notably Platygastridae (6.60%), Encyrtidae (2.79%), Chalcididae (2.56%), Mymaridae (2.56%), Pompilidae (1.15%) and Trichogrammatidae (1.09%). The occurrence of predators from the families Crabronidae (6.34 %), Vespidae (2.24 %) and Sphecidae (0.10%) is noteworthy. Among the traps, Moericke captured the greatest diversity of Hymenoptera (24 families), followed by Pitfall (11 families) and McPhail (seven families) traps.

This paper provides faunistic information of predatory wasps collected during one year of field work in 6 Natural Protected Areas (NPAs) from the state of Yucatán, Mexico. The results are compared with published information for the state and the similarity was determined in the species composition between NPAs. The study included 1,145 specimens belonging to 4 families, which are deposited in the Entomological Collection Regional Autonomous University of Yucatán. We recorded 78 species and morphospecies; 26 species are new records for Yucatán and the Yucatán Peninsula. Vespidae had the highest number of specimens (68%), followed by Pompilidae (23%), Crabronidae (8%) and Sphecidae (1%). NPAs with the highest number of species were Yalahau and Tabi (43 and 32 species, respectively). Highest similarity was found between NPAs Tabi and Kabah (57%). The results indicate that more studies are needed in order to know the predatory wasps' fauna of tropical areas in Mexico.

En este trabajo se presenta la información faunística de avispas depredadoras, reunida en un año de recolectas en 6 áreas naturales protegidas (ANP) del estado de Yucatán, México. Los resultados se compararon con la información publicada para el estado y se determinó la similitud en la composición de las especies entre las ANP. Se determinaron 1,145 ejemplares pertenecientes a 4 familias, los cuales se encuentran depositados en la Colección Entomológica Regional de la Universidad Autónoma de Yucatán. Se registraron 78 especies y morfoespecies; 26 especies son nuevos registros para Yucatán y la península de Yucatán. La familia Vespidae fue la mejor representada (68% de los ejemplares), seguida de Pompilidae (23%), Crabronidae (8%) y Sphecidae (1%). Las ANP con el mayor número de especies fueron Yalahau y Tabi (43 y 32 especies, respectivamente). La mayor similitud, en la composición de especies, se encontró entre las ANP Kabah y Tabi (57%). Los resultados indican que se requieren más estudios encaminados a conocer la fauna de avispas depredadoras en la región tropical de México.

Neste trabalho realizamos um inventário da fauna de vespas predadoras (Hymenoptera, Vespoidea) do Parque Nacional da Serra da Bodoquena (PNSB), municípios de Bodoquena, Bonito, Jardim e Porto Murtinho, em 42 dias descontínuos de amostragens entre fevereiro de 2007 a dezembro de 2008. Sete expedições de campo foram realizadas em áreas de Floresta Estacional Decidual e Floresta Estacional Semidecidual. As técnicas empregadas foram: coletas ativas com rede entomológica, armadilha de Malaise, bandejas amarelas (armadilha de Möericke) e coleta manual. Trezentos e sessenta e um indivíduos de Vespoidea foram capturados, representados por 107 espécies, em 59 gêneros, distribuídos nas seguintes famílias: Vespidae, Pompilidae, Mutillidae, Tiphiidae e Scoliidae. Vespidae foi o grupo mais freqüente. Pompilidae foi bem representado por um amplo conjunto de métodos de coleta, entretanto a maioria dos gêneros foi amostrada por uma técnica exclusiva. Scoliidae foi representado apenas por três indivíduos. As espécies Polybia (gr. occidentalis) e Agelaia multipicta (Vespidae) foram as mais abundantes dentre todas as vespas aculeadas amostradas. Sessenta e uma espécies capturadas estão representadas por apenas um único indivíduo (singletons). Estes dados acrescentam novos registros de distribuição de espécies de vespas para a região Centro-Oeste do Brasil de interesse biogeográfico.

This work aims at performing the inventory of predator wasps' fauna (Hymenoptera, Vespoidea) from Serra da Bodoquena National Park, Brazil, municipalities of Bodoquena, Bonito, Jardim and Porto Murtinho; with a discontinuous period of 42 days of collecting, between February/2007 to December/2008. Seven expeditions were undertaken in the field in areas of deciduous and semi deciduous seasonal forest. The techniques employed in faunal inventory were: active collection with entomological net, Malaise traps, Möericke traps and hand collecting. Three-hundred sixty one specimens in Vespoidea group were captured, represented by 107 species in 59 genera, distributed in the following families: Vespidae, Pompilidae, Mutillidae, Tiphiidae and Scoliidae. Vespidae were the most frequently sampled group. Pompilidae presented a wider range of records in relation to collection methods; however most genera are sampled by an exclusive technique. Scoliidae was only represented by tree individuals. Polybia (gr. occidentalis) and Agelaia multipicta (Vespidae) were the most abundant between all the Aculeata wasps sampled. Sixty one species was sampled with only one individual (singletons). This data input new records of distribution of wasp's species to Central Western Brazil with biogeographical interest.

Se estudió el género Psorthaspis en Colombia. Se encontraron tres especies distribuidas en el norte y occidente de Colombia, de ellas dos representan nuevos registros de Pompilidae en el país: Psorthaspis variegata y Psorthaspis connexa que se encuentran en Chocó y Magdalena, respectivamente. Se establece un neotipo para Psorthaspis colombiae. La variación morfológica y la distribución de P. variegata y P. connexa hacen necesario evitar el uso de unidades subespecíficas. Se ofrece una discusión del estado de estas subespecies. Se presenta una clave para los miembros de Psorthaspis en Colombia.

The biodiversity of spider wasps in Psorthapsis occurring in Colombia was examined in this study. Three species of this genus were found in northern and western Colombia, of which two represent new distributional records: Psorthaspis variegata and Psorthaspis connexa are recorded from Chocó and Magdalena, respectively. A neotype is established for Psorthapsis colombiae. The morphological variation, coupled with geographic distribution, precludes the division of P. variegata and P. connexa into subspecies. A discussion on the status of these subspecies is provided. A key to the members of the genus in Colombia also is presented.

One hundred and two species and thirty two genera of the four subfamilies of Pompilidae wasps, collected at localities of eight municipalities of Tamaulipas, México were recorded. Twenty one species of these are new records for the country meanwhile 88 species are new records for the state of Tamaulipas. The most abundant species were Aporus notabilis notabilis y Episyron conterminus posterus. Thirty three species are Neotropical. The results suggest that others species will be present in this region of the country and therefore more studies must be necesary to make in order to know the richness of this group of wasps.

Se registran 102 especies y 32 géneros de las cuatro subfamilias de avispas Pompilidae, colectadas en localidades de ocho municipios de Tamaulipas, México. De éstas, 21 especies son nuevos registros para el país y 88 especies son nuevos registros para el Estado de Tamaulipas. Las especies más abundantes fueron Aporus notabilis notabilis y Episyron conterminus posterus. Entre las especies, 33 son de afinidad neotropical. Es muy posible que más especies estén presentes en esta región del país y por lo tanto será necesario realizar más estudios encaminados a conocer la riqueza de este grupo de avispas.