Abstract
A taxonomic and phylogenetic study of Sphecidae based on morphology of last instar larvae and eggs is presented, including description of the family and a key to identify genera, tribes and subfamilies. Larval morphology of 12 species of Sphecidae was studied, along with four others used as outgroups (belonging to Ampulicidae, Crabronidae and Apidae). Thirty characters were listed from the morphological studies. Four genera were included in the analysis based only on literature. Thus, representatives of all the subfamilies and tribes of the Sphecidae were included in the analysis, except those of Stangeellini. The characters matrix was submitted to a parsimonious analysis using TNT version 1.5 and generated four equally parsimonious trees, with Length = 46, Consistence Index = 0.739, Retention Index = 0.878. The hypothesis of relationship suggested by the larvae and eggs is congruent with those suggested by the adult morphology in previous studies. The taxa Sphecidae, Sceliphrinae, Podiini, Sceliphrini, Prionychini and Ammophilinae, as well the assemblages Sceliphrinae + Chloriontinae and Sphecinae + Ammophilinae were supported by larval apomorphies. No apomorphy supporting the monophyly of Sphecinae and Sphecini was found.
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