The update distribution of the alien mud-dauber wasp Sceliphron curvatum (smith, 1870) in Chile with new occurrence records (Hymenoptera: Sphecidae)

Abstract

Sceliphron curvatum (Smith, 1870) is a sphecid native to central and southern Asia which was accidentally introduced in various countries in the world and in the last decades was introduced also into South America. In this paper the knowledges of the its occurrence in the continent are summarized and new records for Chile of this alien mud-dauber wasp are reported. The material examined consists of photographed specimens or nests from the website iNaturalist and all listed records were confirmed by the author. Sceliphron curvatum is easily recognizable compared to the others species of Sceliphron of South America since it has reddish legs and gaster (petiole excluded) with reddish bands. Also the nest is easily recognizable from ones of the other South America species since it is not covered by a final thick layer of mud. The present work provides information which increases the knowledge of the distribution of this alien mud-dauber wasp in Chile. In addition to confirm the establishment in the Santiago Metropolitan Region, first occurrence records of the species are given for the regions of Antofagasta, Coquimbo, Valparaíso, Libertador General Bernardo O’Higgins, Maule, and Ñuble. The new occurrence records provided in this paper demonstrate the first widespread of this sphecid in a south american country; indeed so far its established populations were found only in northern Argentina and in central Chile. In this latter country S. curvatum is now spreading its range (it is not known whether with new introductions or not).