Abstract:
Sphecoid wasps, superfamily Apoidea, series Spheciformes with 9706 species in the world come under 318 genera. The life histories of Spheciformes include hunting strategies and solitary to communal nesting to eusociality. They are mainly benefi cial and relatively harmless to man. The diversity and distribution of sphecoid wasps at the genus level, with 9 subfamilies and 74 genera, are being reported in India, out of which 8 subfamilies and 35 genera occur in Kerala. A comprehensive analysis of these wasps in Kerala is provided. The food items and habitat patches the wasps prefer are specifi c so that the changes in the population of wasps can be related to changes in the food and habitat.
