Caupolicana yarrowi
This record describes Caupolicana yarrowi (species). Recorded family: Colletidae. Recorded order: Hymenoptera.
Identification and Appearance
Classification
- Kingdom
- Animalia
- Phylum
- Arthropoda
- Class
- Insecta
- Order
- Hymenoptera (Ants, Bees, Wasps and Sawflies)
- Superfamily
- Trigonaloidea
- Family
- Colletidae (Cellophane, Plasterer, Masked, and Allied Bees)
- Subfamily
- Diphaglossinae
- Genus
- Caupolicana
Imported taxonomy record. Source availability varies; see the source references and editorial policy below.
Habitat and Range
Geographic Range
sw. US (TX-UT-AZ) to c. Mexico Discover Life Map
Seasonal Activity
June - September
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.
Life History
Builds subterranean nest cells enveloped by hard soil, which easily separates from the surrounding soil. This hard soil is created by the bee regurgitating floral nectar to smooth and waterproof the nest walls. ( 3 )
About Flies: the wider group
Order-level background for Hymenoptera, the group containing Caupolicana yarrowi. 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 Caupolicana yarrowi (2)
Photo credits: Contributed by John S. Ascher; Additional contributions by Beatriz Moisset , v belov , hg , PaleoJon , Nathaniel Green
Frequently Asked Questions About Caupolicana yarrowi
How big is Caupolicana yarrowi?
| Feature | Details |
|---|---|
| Female | Length 18-20 mm; wing length 19 mm. |
| Male | Length 17-21 mm; wing length 14-16½ mm. |
Where is Caupolicana yarrowi found?
Range: sw. US (TX-UT-AZ) to c. Mexico Discover Life Map
What does Caupolicana yarrowi eat?
The diet of the Caupolicana yarrowi 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 Caupolicana yarrowi active?
Caupolicana yarrowi: seasonal activity - June - September.
What is the life cycle of a Caupolicana yarrowi?
Builds subterranean nest cells enveloped by hard soil, which easily separates from the surrounding soil. This hard soil is created by the bee regurgitating floral nectar to smooth and waterproof the nest walls. ( 3 )