Alysson melleus
This record describes Alysson melleus (species). Recorded family: Crabronidae. Recorded order: Hymenoptera.
Identification and Appearance
The only species of Alysson in the northeast with red mesosoma. (Buck comment here )
Classification
- Kingdom
- Animalia
- Phylum
- Arthropoda
- Class
- Insecta
- Order
- Hymenoptera (Ants, Bees, Wasps and Sawflies)
- Superfamily
- Trigonaloidea
- Family
- Crabronidae (Square-headed Wasps, Sand Wasps, and Allies)
- Subfamily
- Bembicinae
- Tribe
- Alyssontini
- Genus
- Alysson
Imported taxonomy record. Source availability varies; see the source references and editorial policy below.
Habitat and Range
Geographic Range
e. NA (MA-ON-NE to FL & TX)
Additional species information
Species notes from the sources
Etymology: Alysson melleus Say, 1837
About Flies: the wider group
Order-level background for Hymenoptera, the group containing Alysson melleus. 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 Alysson melleus (3)
Photo credits: Contributed by tom murray; Additional contributions by Beatriz Moisset , v belov , Nathaniel Green
Frequently Asked Questions About Alysson melleus
What is Alysson melleus?
Alysson melleus is a species in the family Crabronidae, within the order Hymenoptera.
How do you identify Alysson melleus?
The only species of Alysson in the northeast with red mesosoma. (Buck comment here )
Where is Alysson melleus found?
Range: e. NA (MA-ON-NE to FL & TX)