A NEW AUSTRALIAN SPECIES OF COMMUNAL GROUND NESTING WASP, IN THE GENUS SPILOMENA SHUCKARD (HYMENOPTERA: SPHECIDAE: PEMPHREDONINAE)

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Abstract
Spilomena subterranea sp. n. is described from southeastern Australia and is the first species of Spilomena Shuckard known to nest communally in the ground. Nests were in sandy soil and were usually occupied by 2–4 females and 0–2 males, but the level of social behaviour is unknown. Adult S. subterranea prey on Psyllidae (adults, nymphs) and Eulophidae (adults). Morphological specialisations for ground nesting are described for S. subterranea and related species.