Augochloropsis sumptuosa
This record describes Augochloropsis sumptuosa (species). Recorded family: Halictidae. Recorded order: Hymenoptera.
Identification and Appearance
Classification
- Kingdom
- Animalia
- Phylum
- Arthropoda
- Class
- Insecta
- Order
- Hymenoptera (Ants, Bees, Wasps and Sawflies)
- Superfamily
- Trigonaloidea
- Family
- Halictidae (Sweat, Furrow, Nomiine, and Short-faced Bees)
- Subfamily
- Halictinae
- Tribe
- Augochlorini
- Genus
- Augochloropsis
Imported taxonomy record. Source availability varies; see the source references and editorial policy below.
Habitat and Range
Geographic Range
Maine to Florida, west to New Mexico, to South Dakota. Discover Life Global Map
Seasonal Activity
April to October, throughout the year in Florida.
Diet and Behavior
Diet: Visits flowers from several families. 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: Augochloropsis (Paraugochloropsis) sumptuosa (Smith, 1853)
About Flies: the wider group
Order-level background for Hymenoptera, the group containing Augochloropsis sumptuosa. 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 Augochloropsis sumptuosa (5)
Photo credits: Contributed by Ted Kropiewnicki; Additional contributions by cotinis , Beatriz Moisset , hg , PaleoJon , Nathaniel Green
Frequently Asked Questions About Augochloropsis sumptuosa
How big is Augochloropsis sumptuosa?
11 mm
Where is Augochloropsis sumptuosa found?
Range: Maine to Florida, west to New Mexico, to South Dakota. Discover Life Global Map
What does Augochloropsis sumptuosa eat?
The diet of the Augochloropsis sumptuosa includes Visits flowers from several families. The Hosts section on its Discover Life species page lists known floral associations based on specimen records and images..
When is Augochloropsis sumptuosa active?
Augochloropsis sumptuosa: seasonal activity - April to October, throughout the year in Florida..