Author: Weaving, A.J.S.
Title: Annals of the Cape Provincial Museums. Volume 16. Part 13. Prey Selection in Several Sympatric Species of Ammophila W. Kirby (Hymenoptera: Sphecidae) in Southern Africa.
Description: Cape Provincial Museum, Albany Museum, Grahamstown, Natural History. Volume 16. Part 13. 29th July 1988. Stapled wraps, p327-p349. illustrated colour plates, 184mm wide x 240mm high. New unread copy. Prey selection by several sympatric species of Ammophila W. Kirby was investigated. Prey-size requirements differed according to the size of wasps and their provisioning strategies but, because of overlap and changes in caterpillar size during development, this did not wholly explain observed interspecific differences in species and families of caterpillars taken. Differences were mainly the result of wasps hunting in different types of vegetation in which the most abundant suitably-sized caterpillers were taken. Specialisation by individuals on certain prey species indicated locality learning, maximising prey utilisation. The possibility of the observed prey selection being due to competition is discussed.

Keywords: albany museum grahamstown eastern cape cape provincial museum south southern africa african hyemnoptera insects wasps sphecidae entomology


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