Nesting behaviour of Australian wasps of the genus Sphex (Hymenoptera,Sphecidae)

Summary

Nests and prey are described for three species of Australian Sphex: cognatus Smith, ephippium Smith, and bilobatus Kohl. All three prey upon Tettigoniidae. The first two make relatively deep, multicellular nests and make open, accessory burrows beside the true nest entrance; however, these accessory burrows are absent in some populations of cognatus. The nests of bilobatus are shallow and contain only one or two cells. Briefer notes are presented on two species of the related genus Prionyx: globosus (Smith) and saevus (Smith); these are predators on Acrididae.