Comparing three colourful Bembix species from the Atrifrons species group: Bembix olba; Bembix wilcannia, and Bembix aureofasciata.

Identification to species level, based on Leclercq’s detailed description of the female and comparison with images of the holotype. At the time of Leclercq’s major revision (1997), only that holotype was known in collection. We can now add several more females … plus the missing males!

A close look at our local species of Podagritus, identified as P. leptospermi, with detailed images of both sexes. Plus a short sequence of ‘live action’, featuring a female with prey struggling to find her nest burrow.

Key features for distinguishing between the 22 described Australian species of Arpactophilus.

The key features distinguishing Podagritus from Rhopalum, and a guide to distinguishing between Podagritus species of eastern Australia.

A rather old specimen, collection details unknown … but my first chance to take a close look at this species.

Arguably one of the most variable Bembix species in terms of colour pattern … and therefore one of the most challenging to identify from field photos. Finally I have one in the hand and so can be more confident that this is indeed B. littoralis.

This page includes a detailed comparison matrix for five Bembix species which can sometimes look very alike: B. littoralis; B. variabilis; B. lamellata; B. musca; B. furcata.

Last summer I captured images of Pseudoturneria territorialis females, both in the field and upon collection. But at that time no males were to be seen. More luck this year, as in early November males are suddenly swarming about the nesting site.

This is a relatively common species throughout coastal and near-coastal Queensland. Thanks to Scott W. Gavins, I take a closer look at key identification features of the female … including the clypeal lamina and the mesopleuron.

Key features for distinguishing between the 48 described Cerceris species of eastern Australia.