Anthidium maculifrons
This record describes Anthidium maculifrons (species). Recorded family: Megachilidae. Recorded order: Hymenoptera.
Identification and Appearance
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
Geographic Range
VA‒FL to IL‒AZ‒Mexico map
Seasonal Activity
March to November in the more southern parts its range.
Diet and Behavior
Diet: plant associations
Additional species information
Species notes from the sources
Etymology: Anthidium maculifrons Smith 1854
About Flies: the wider group
Order-level background for Hymenoptera, the group containing Anthidium maculifrons. 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 maculifrons (5)
Photo credits: Contributed by Ron M.; Additional contributions by Beatriz Moisset , John S. Ascher , v belov , hg , PaleoJon
Frequently Asked Questions About Anthidium maculifrons
How big is Anthidium maculifrons?
♀ 10 mm, ♂ 11‒12 mm
Where is Anthidium maculifrons found?
Range: VA‒FL to IL‒AZ‒Mexico map
What does Anthidium maculifrons eat?
The diet of the Anthidium maculifrons includes plant associations.
When is Anthidium maculifrons active?
Anthidium maculifrons: seasonal activity - March to November in the more southern parts its range..