Bembecinus quinquespinosus
This record describes Bembecinus quinquespinosus (species). Recorded family: Crabronidae. Recorded order: Hymenoptera.
Identification and Appearance
Males are highly variable and can range from largely pale to mostly black: Females are always dark
Classification
- Kingdom
- Animalia
- Phylum
- Arthropoda
- Class
- Insecta
- Order
- Hymenoptera (Ants, Bees, Wasps and Sawflies)
- Superfamily
- Trigonaloidea
- Family
- Crabronidae (Square-headed Wasps, Sand Wasps, and Allies)
- Subfamily
- Bembicinae
- Tribe
- Bembicini
- Genus
- Bembecinus
Imported taxonomy record. Source availability varies; see the source references and editorial policy below.
Habitat and Range
Geographic Range
NE and CO south to TX and west to southern CA, Central America
Additional species information
Species notes from the sources
Etymology: Bembecinus quinquespinosus (Say 1823)
About Flies: the wider group
Order-level background for Hymenoptera, the group containing Bembecinus quinquespinosus. 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 Bembecinus quinquespinosus (5)
Photo credits: Contributed by Matthias Buck; Additional contributions by v belov
Frequently Asked Questions About Bembecinus quinquespinosus
What is Bembecinus quinquespinosus?
Bembecinus quinquespinosus is a species in the family Crabronidae, within the order Hymenoptera.
How do you identify Bembecinus quinquespinosus?
Males are highly variable and can range from largely pale to mostly black: Females are always dark
Where is Bembecinus quinquespinosus found?
Range: NE and CO south to TX and west to southern CA, Central America