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Photo#1377564
Bembix occidentalis - female

Bembix occidentalis - Female
California, USA
Size: ~19 mm
Unfortunately this specimen has no collection data. It is sorted with a number of apoid wasps from California, so I'm presuming that this is also from CA.
Keyed tentatively to Bembix gillaspyi using Bohart & Menke and Bohart & Horning. Unfortunately the palps are not exposed and the specimen is too old to manipulate safely. Qualitatively, it looks more like Bembix to me than the bembicines with 6-4 palp formula. The development of the ocelli is also a bit tough (tried to get a photo, but I realize the quality is poor).
Presuming that this is Bembix, it keys nicely to B. gillaspyi and matches all visible characters in the description, except I don't see a dorsomedial labral swelling. Probasitarsus has six strong rake setae and one weak seta.
If anyone can suggest further characters that don't involve mouthpart dissection, I can more easily look these up than get better photos.

Images of this individual: tag all
Bembix occidentalis - female Bembix occidentalis - female Bembix occidentalis - female Bembix occidentalis - female Bembix occidentalis - female

Moved
Moved from Bembicina.

Bembix occidentalis
Yes, determining the development of the ocelli is tough until you've seen a good number of specimens. In your fourth photo the midocellus is reduced to a scar that is difficult to see-if this were gillaspyi it would be partially intact and visible as a distinct lens.

Both the Bohart/Horning key and the Evans/Matthews key bring this one to B.occidentalis.

 
Thanks!
Thanks for the clarification and the description of the ocellar development. I'll go back to the key and take a new look at the character with this in mind.

Moved
Moved from ID Request.

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