A revision of Pompilus Fabricius (Hymenoptera : Pompilidae), with further nomenclatural and biological considerations Michael C. Day JHc Department of Entomology, British Museum (Natural History), Cromwell Road, London SW75BD 2 9 JAN *, UBAAftl Contents Synopsis .......... Introduction ......... The nomenclatural history of the family name Psammochares and Psammocharidae versus Pompilus and Pompilidae The type-species of the type-genera ..... The family-group names of the Pompilidae .... Genus Pompilus Fabricius ....... Key to species of Pompilus ...... Females ......... Males ......... Nomenclatural changes in genera other than Pompilus Acknowledgements ........ References ......... Index 1 1 2 2 4 5 7 10 10 10 36 37 37 41 Synopsis The genus Pompilus Fabricius is redefined to include seven Old World species, of which six are known in both sexes; males of four are described or associated for the first time and a seventh species is described as new from a single female. Keys and distributional data are given. Biology is summarized; that of the type-species is treated at length, including development of the mature larva. One new generic and sixteen new specific synonyms are established and lectotypes are designated for five nominal species; one new combination is made. The nomenclatural histories of alternative family names and of their type-species are summarized and a catalogue of family-group names is given. The possible affinities of Pompilus are discussed. For other genera an improperly proposed generic name is made available, a further generic and specific synonymy are established, and three new combinations made; two lectotypes are designated. Introduction The spider-hunting robber wasps constitute a family of aculeate Hymenoptera of considerable morphological homogeneity. The family names Pompilidae and Psammocharidae have both at various times been applied to the group in which their type-genera, Pompilus Fabricius, 1 798 and Psammochares Latreille, 1 796, have each been used as 'blanket' genera for very large numbers of species. Following issue of Opinion 166 (1945) of the International Commission on Zoological Nomenclature (ICZN), usage has largely stabilized in favour of Pompilus and Pompilidae. In order to clarify modern usage for future students, I have thought it worthwhile to give an historical account of nomenclatural applications of Pompilus and Psammochares and their derivative family names. A catalogue of other extant family-group names is appended for completeness. In recent years, Pompilus has progressively been more rigorously defined such that fewer and fewer species have been assigned to the genus. However, workers have failed to consider the Bull. Br. Mm. not. Hist. (Ent.) 42 (1): 1-42 Issued 29 January 1981
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