Description of the male of Xystromutilla bucki Suárez, 1960 (Hymenoptera, Mutillidae), including new information on the biology of the genus.

The male of Xystromutilla bucki Suárez, 1960 is described and associated with the female based on couples reared from trap-nests occupied by Auplopus subaurarius Dreisbach, 1963 (Hymenoptera: Pompilidae). Information on the diapause of X. bucki and Pseudomethoca nr. chontalensis (Cameron, 1895) (Hymenoptera: Mutillidae) is presented. Seasonal and annual variation in the abundance of X. turrialba Casal, 1969 are also given.

Seasonal and annual abundance of Ephuta wasp (Hymenoptera: Mutillidae) in Panama

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.

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.

A new species of Priochilus Banks, 1944 (Hymenoptera, Pompilidae, Pompilinae) from Panama.

Priochilus chrysopygus Wasbauer, Cambra & Añino sp. nov. based on both sexes is described and illustrated. This new species is related to P. splendidulus (Fabricius). A short synopsis of biology in the genus Priochilus is given.