Speaker: Florence Kajoina
Candidate for Bachelor of Science in Biology
Time: 2:45 PM
Place: Trustee Hall 117
Supervisor: Dr. Fidelma O’Leary
Title:Frequency, Duration, Types and Temporal Aspects of Mating Balls in
Bembecinus neglectus (Hymenoptera: Sphecidae)

Abstract: The frequency, duration and temporal aspects of mating and pseudomating balls are reported for the sand wasp, Bembecinus neglectus. In 2003, eighty mating balls were recorded. Duration of mating balls ranged from 8 sec. to nearly 45 min, and the average time that a mating ball lasted was about 6 min. Forty-six pseudomating balls averaged nearly 5 min in duration and ranged from 10 sec. to 42 min. Pseudomating balls often formed around bee fly (bombyliidae) pupae and other objects. There was no significant difference in duration between mating and pseudomating balls.