Avispas depredadoras de áreas naturales protegidas del estado de Yucatán, México

Abstract

This paper provides faunistic information of predatory wasps collected during one year of field work in 6 Natural Protected Areas (NPAs) from the state of Yucatán, Mexico. The results are compared with published information for the state and the similarity was determined in the species composition between NPAs. The study included 1,145 specimens belonging to 4 families, which are deposited in the Entomological Collection Regional Autonomous University of Yucatán. We recorded 78 species and morphospecies; 26 species are new records for Yucatán and the Yucatán Peninsula. Vespidae had the highest number of specimens (68%), followed by Pompilidae (23%), Crabronidae (8%) and Sphecidae (1%). NPAs with the highest number of species were Yalahau and Tabi (43 and 32 species, respectively). Highest similarity was found between NPAs Tabi and Kabah (57%). The results indicate that more studies are needed in order to know the predatory wasps' fauna of tropical areas in Mexico.