Anthidium banningense
This record describes Anthidium banningense (species). Recorded family: Megachilidae. Recorded order: Hymenoptera.
Identification and Appearance
Females - T6 with long, acute lateral angle and terga densely punctate.
Classification
- Kingdom
- Animalia
- Phylum
- Arthropoda
- Class
- Insecta
- Order
- Hymenoptera (Ants, Bees, Wasps and Sawflies)
- Superfamily
- Trigonaloidea
- Family
- Megachilidae (Leafcutter, Mason, and Resin Bees, and allies)
- Subfamily
- Megachilinae
- Tribe
- Anthidiini
- Genus
- Anthidium (Woolcarder Bees)
Imported taxonomy record. Source availability varies; see the source references and editorial policy below.
Habitat and Range
Habitat
Found in forest, woodland, chaparral, and grassland ecoregions.
Additional species information
Species notes from the sources
Etymology: Anthidium banningense Cockerell, 1904
About Flies: the wider group
Order-level background for Hymenoptera, the group containing Anthidium banningense. 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 Anthidium banningense (5)
Photo credits: Contributed by Nathaniel Green
Frequently Asked Questions About Anthidium banningense
What is Anthidium banningense?
Anthidium banningense is a species in the family Megachilidae, within the order Hymenoptera.
How do you identify Anthidium banningense?
Females - T6 with long, acute lateral angle and terga densely punctate.
Where is Anthidium banningense found?
Habitat: Found in forest, woodland, chaparral, and grassland ecoregions.