Ceratina dallatorreana
This record describes Ceratina dallatorreana (species). Recorded family: Apidae. Recorded order: Hymenoptera.
Identification and Appearance
Introduced, originally from Europe and Middle East. First found in Sacramento Valley of California in 1949. It has spread southward.
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
- Xylocopinae
- Genus
- Ceratina (Small Carpenter Bees)
Imported taxonomy record. Source availability varies; see the source references and editorial policy below.
Habitat and Range
Geographic Range
California: Discover Life Map .
Diet and Behavior
Diet: The Hosts section on its Discover Life species page lists known associations based on specimen records and images.
Life History
North American populations are parthenogenetic
Additional species information
Species notes from the sources
Etymology: Author: Friese, 1896. Honors the author of the world Hymenoptera catalogue.
About Flies: the wider group
Order-level background for Hymenoptera, the group containing Ceratina dallatorreana. 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.
Frequently Asked Questions About Ceratina dallatorreana
What is Ceratina dallatorreana?
Ceratina dallatorreana is a species in the family Apidae, within the order Hymenoptera.
Where is Ceratina dallatorreana found?
Range: California: Discover Life Map .
What does Ceratina dallatorreana eat?
The diet of the Ceratina dallatorreana includes The Hosts section on its Discover Life species page lists known associations based on specimen records and images..
What is the life cycle of a Ceratina dallatorreana?
North American populations are parthenogenetic