Nesting ecology of the Pacific cicada killer, Sphecius convallis Patton (Hymenoptera, Crabronidae), in the Sonoran Desert

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Abstract
  • Factors affecting the ecology of a large population of Pacific cicada killers (Sphecius convallis) occupying
    a field of mine tailings in Ruby, AZ, were examined. Burrows were quite dense in certain areas around
    the periphery of the mine tailings, but were dispersed randomly within these areas. Approximately 1600
    females (based on burrow counts) and 2500 males (based on mark-recapture) were recorded, yielding a
    total population estimate of 5000–6000 adults. Female wasps were able to dig much more rapidly in the
    mine tailings than their congeners S. speciosus in soils from PA, suggesting that the habitat suitability was
    a large factor in this robust population. Provisioning rate was comparatively slow, however, suggesting
    that cicada abundance in that year was not a contributor to the high population density. The presence of
    a sap-producing tree may have eased the energetic and thermoregulatory demands of the wasps. Although
    excavations revealed that the number of burrows and cells could easily maintain the population size, the
    lack of cicadas probably resulted instead in a population crash the following season.
TitleNesting ecology of the Pacific cicada killer, Sphecius convallis Patton (Hymenoptera, Crabronidae), in the Sonoran Desert
CreatorHolliday, Charles W.
Hastings, J. M.
Coehlo, J. R.
PublisherJournal of Hymenoptera Research
Academic DepartmentBiology
DivisionNatural Sciences
OrganizationLafayette College
Date IssuedDecember 29, 2020
Date Available2021-01-05
TypeArticle
LanguageEnglish
Keywordprovisioning
dispersion
population
digging
wasp
soil
Bibliographic CitationCoehlo, J. R., J. M. Hastings, and C. W. Holliday (2020 Dec 29). "Nesting ecology of the Pacific cicada killer, Sphecius convallis Patton (Hymenoptera, Crabronidae), in the Sonoran Desert." Journal of Hymenoptera Research 80: 177–191.
Standard IdentifierDOI 10.3897/jhr.80.59206
Handle 10385/ng451j872
Permalinkhttp://hdl.handle.net/10385/ng451j872
Rights Statement Creative Commons - Attribution Creative Commons - Attribution
Rights HoldersHolliday, Charles W.
Hastings, J. M.
Coehlo, J. R.
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