A key to the Australian genera of Eumeninae (Hymenoptera: Vespidae)

Abstract

An illustrated identification key to the genera of potter wasps occurring in Australia is presented. Hitherto there has been no published key to these genera, making routine identification impossible, and allowing taxonomic study of these wasps to be carried out only by specialists. This has greatly inhibited biological study of these wasps, which are known to exhibit interesting behavioural ecology. For the same reason, their use as biological control agents has scarcely been investigated. And as a result, the conservation status of any of the species is unknown. Our aim is that this key should begin to rectify this situation.