Ancistrocerus lineativentris
This record describes Ancistrocerus lineativentris (species). Recorded family: Vespidae. Recorded order: Hymenoptera.
Identification and Appearance
Similar to A. tuberculocephalus but lacking tubercle between ocelli.
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
Geographic Range
CO, w. TX w. to CA, SD, w. KS, CA n. to BC, CAN. Adding to Krombein 1979 records, Bug Guide and iNaturalist data added WA and e. and n. TX records in recent years and decades.There is also one MO record shown on GBIF without a photo, and an iNaturalist 2024 FL record that may be this species.
About Flies: the wider group
Order-level background for Hymenoptera, the group containing Ancistrocerus lineativentris. 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 lineativentris (5)
Photo credits: Contributed by Matthias Buck; Additional contributions by PaleoJon , bdagley
Frequently Asked Questions About Ancistrocerus lineativentris
What is Ancistrocerus lineativentris?
Ancistrocerus lineativentris is a species in the family Vespidae, within the order Hymenoptera.
How do you identify Ancistrocerus lineativentris?
Similar to A. tuberculocephalus but lacking tubercle between ocelli.
Where is Ancistrocerus lineativentris found?
Range: CO, w. TX w. to CA, SD, w. KS, CA n. to BC, CAN. Adding to Krombein 1979 records, Bug Guide and iNaturalist data added WA and e. and n. TX records in recent years and decades.There is also one MO record shown on GBIF without a photo, and an iNaturalist 2024 FL record that may be this species.