Wasps of the families Ampulicidae, Bembicidae, Bethylidae, Chrysididae, Crabronidae, Evanidae, Gasteruptidae, Heloridae, Pemphredonidae, Pompilidae, Psenidae, Sphecidae and Vespidae (Hymenoptera) of Lagodekhi protected areas, from Georgia (Sakartvelo)

Abstract

The wasp species composition of 13 families (Ampulicidae, Bembicidae, Bethylidae, Chrysididae, Crabronidae, Evanidae, Gasteruptidae, Heloridae, Pemphredonidae, Pompilidae, Psenidae, Sphecidae and Vespidae) was studied in the Lagodekhi Protected Areas. Collections were performed from April to November 2014. The collection method included the use of flight intercept trapping by Malaise traps. In total, 1797 individuals belonging to 94 species were collected. For the sake of outlining the newly established taxa for the country, a full reference to the previous reports on thirteen families at species level for Georgia is made. Three families, 14 genera and 57 species are new records for Georgia (Sakartvelo). The study underscores the importance of including the protected areas studied in the conservation of wasp diversity and in addition, suggests that insect diversity should be studied separately, as it does not necessarily follow the same patterns as other groups of organisms (e. g. vertebrates or plants).