Ageniella accepta
This record describes Ageniella accepta (species). Recorded family: Pompilidae. Recorded order: Hymenoptera.
Identification and Appearance
♀ ♂ Like all Ageniellini, they sever the legs of their prey to accommodate transport: This photo shows either an aberrant A. accepta or (less likely) an undescribed species
Identification notes
♀ ♂
Classification
- Kingdom
- Animalia
- Phylum
- Arthropoda
- Class
- Insecta
- Order
- Hymenoptera (Ants, Bees, Wasps and Sawflies)
- Superfamily
- Pompiloidea
- Family
- Pompilidae (Spider Wasps)
- Subfamily
- Pepsinae
- Tribe
- Ageniellini
- Genus
- Ageniella
Imported taxonomy record. Source availability varies; see the source references and editorial policy below.
Habitat and Range
Habitat
Open areas are favored (i.e. fallow fields, sand barrens, and other places with bare soil and sparse vegetation). Also hunts at woodland edges.
Geographic Range
Transcontinental, southern Canada to Mexico
Seasonal Activity
Fairly rare so its seasonal distribution is difficult to assess. Seems to have a single generation in the northern states with adults on the wing from mid-July to mid-September. Possibly a much wider flight season and an additional generation in the extreme southern U.S.
Diet and Behavior
Diet: Adults occasionally visit umbellifers and other similar-structured flowers. Nests are provisioned with Lycosid spiders.
Additional species information
Species notes from the sources
Etymology: Ageniella accepta (Cresson, 1867)
About Flies: the wider group
Order-level background for Hymenoptera, the group containing Ageniella accepta. Species-specific details appear above.
Group overview
Hymenoptera includes over 150,000 described species of ants, bees, wasps, and sawflies. Earth harbors approximately 20 quadrillion (20×10^15) ants, with a combined biomass of ~12 megatons of dry carbon - exceeding the combined biomass of all wild birds and mammals (PNAS, 2022).
Ecological role of the group
About 35% of the world's food crops depend on animal pollinators. The chocolate industry, valued at over $100 billion, depends on pollinating flies and midges. Ants are the dominant soil engineers in most terrestrial ecosystems, turning more soil than earthworms in many habitats.
Economic and practical significance of the group
Pollinators contribute $235-577 billion worth of annual global food production (FAO). In the U.S., bee pollination alone benefits crops valued at $18 billion annually, and honey bees are responsible for $5.4 billion in agricultural productivity. Between April 2023-2024, 55.1% of managed honey bee colonies were lost. The U.S. bee population dropped from 5 million to 2.5 million.
Recorded sources for this group: FAO, USDA, EPA, PNAS (2022), US Fish & Wildlife Service. Imported estimates may describe particular regions or reporting periods.
Photos of Ageniella accepta (5)
Photo credits: Contributed by Nick Fensler; Additional contributions by v belov , PaleoJon
Frequently Asked Questions About Ageniella accepta
What is Ageniella accepta?
Ageniella accepta is a species in the family Pompilidae, within the order Hymenoptera.
How big is Ageniella accepta?
8-12mm
How do you identify Ageniella accepta?
♀ ♂
Where is Ageniella accepta found?
| Feature | Details |
|---|---|
| Habitat | Open areas are favored (i.e. fallow fields, sand barrens, and other places with bare soil and sparse vegetation). Also hunts at woodland edges. |
| Range | Transcontinental, southern Canada to Mexico |
What does Ageniella accepta eat?
The diet of the Ageniella accepta includes Adults occasionally visit umbellifers and other similar-structured flowers. Nests are provisioned with Lycosid spiders..
When is Ageniella accepta active?
Ageniella accepta: seasonal activity - Fairly rare so its seasonal distribution is difficult to assess. Seems to have a single generation in the northern states with adults on the wing from mid-July to mid-September. Possibly a much wider flight season and an additional generation in the extreme southern U.S..