Anthophora curta
This record describes Anthophora curta (species). Recorded family: Apidae. Recorded order: Hymenoptera.
Identification and Appearance
Has been considered conspecific with A. squammulosa but now recognized as distinct based on a study by Michael Orr and colleagues of BBSL.
Classification
- Kingdom
- Animalia
- Phylum
- Arthropoda
- Class
- Insecta
- Order
- Hymenoptera (Ants, Bees, Wasps and Sawflies)
- Superfamily
- Trigonaloidea
- Family
- Apidae (Cuckoo, Carpenter, Digger, Bumble, and Honey Bees)
- Subfamily
- Apinae
- Tribe
- Anthophorini
- Genus
- Anthophora (Digger Bees)
Imported taxonomy record. Source availability varies; see the source references and editorial policy below.
Habitat and Range
Geographic Range
Discover Life Global Map
Diet and Behavior
Diet: Asteraceae among others. The Hosts section on its Discover Life species page lists known floral associations based on specimen records and images.
Additional species information
Species notes from the sources
Etymology: Author of species is Provancher, 1895.
About Flies: the wider group
Order-level background for Hymenoptera, the group containing Anthophora curta. 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 Anthophora curta (5)
Photo credits: Contributed by Hartmut Wisch; Additional contributions by Ted Kropiewnicki , John S. Ascher , hg , PaleoJon
Frequently Asked Questions About Anthophora curta
What is Anthophora curta?
Anthophora curta is a species in the family Apidae, within the order Hymenoptera.
Where is Anthophora curta found?
Range: Discover Life Global Map
What does Anthophora curta eat?
The diet of the Anthophora curta includes Asteraceae among others. The Hosts section on its Discover Life species page lists known floral associations based on specimen records and images..