Anthophora marginata
This record describes Anthophora marginata (species). Recorded family: Apidae. Recorded order: Hymenoptera.
Identification and Appearance
Cream not pure white apical margins to terga; grizzled black and gray thoracic hairs
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
Mostly Mexican, and locally N of the border in US mountains
Additional species information
Species notes from the sources
Etymology: [i]Anthophora (Anthophoroides) marginata Smith, 1854 Refers to cream apical margins to the terga (as opposed to white in Anthophora californica )
About Flies: the wider group
Order-level background for Hymenoptera, the group containing Anthophora marginata. 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 marginata (3)
Photo credits: Contributed by John S. Ascher; Additional contributions by PaleoJon
Frequently Asked Questions About Anthophora marginata
What is Anthophora marginata?
Anthophora marginata is a species in the family Apidae, within the order Hymenoptera.
How do you identify Anthophora marginata?
Cream not pure white apical margins to terga; grizzled black and gray thoracic hairs
Where is Anthophora marginata found?
Range: Mostly Mexican, and locally N of the border in US mountains