Ancistrocerus bustamente
This record describes Ancistrocerus bustamente (species). Recorded family: Vespidae. Recorded order: Hymenoptera.
Identification and Appearance
A member of the catskill -group and very similar to catskill except for sternum 2, which rises up vertically for a short distance at the base, forming a right angle with the remainder of the sternum. This is usually very difficult to appreciate on images.
Classification
- Kingdom
- Animalia
- Phylum
- Arthropoda
- Class
- Insecta
- Order
- Hymenoptera (Ants, Bees, Wasps and Sawflies)
- Superfamily
- Vespoidea
- Family
- Vespidae
- Subfamily
- Eumeninae
- Genus
- Ancistrocerus
Imported taxonomy record. Source availability varies; see the source references and editorial policy below.
Habitat and Range
Habitat
Frequents arid areas
Geographic Range
w US (OR-CA to KS-TX); Mexico
Diet and Behavior
Life History
Nests in Sambucus stems
Additional species information
Species notes from the sources
Etymology: Ancistrocerus bustamente (Saussure 1857)
About Flies: the wider group
Order-level background for Hymenoptera, the group containing Ancistrocerus bustamente. 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 Ancistrocerus bustamente (5)
Photo credits: Contributed by Matthias Buck; Additional contributions by v belov
Frequently Asked Questions About Ancistrocerus bustamente
What is Ancistrocerus bustamente?
Ancistrocerus bustamente is a species in the family Vespidae, within the order Hymenoptera.
How do you identify Ancistrocerus bustamente?
A member of the catskill -group and very similar to catskill except for sternum 2, which rises up vertically for a short distance at the base, forming a right angle with the remainder of the sternum. This is usually very difficult to appreciate on images.
Where is Ancistrocerus bustamente found?
| Feature | Details |
|---|---|
| Habitat | Frequents arid areas |
| Range | w US (OR-CA to KS-TX); Mexico |
What is the life cycle of a Ancistrocerus bustamente?
Nests in Sambucus stems