Cerceris clypeata
This record describes Cerceris clypeata (species). Recorded family: Crabronidae. Recorded order: Hymenoptera.
Identification and Appearance
Identification notes
♂ ♀
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
- Philanthinae
- Tribe
- Cercerini
- Genus
- Cerceris
Imported taxonomy record. Source availability varies; see the source references and editorial policy below.
Habitat and Range
Geographic Range
ON, BC, & e. half of the US ( map )
Diet and Behavior
Diet: Female with prey
Additional species information
Species notes from the sources
Etymology: Cerceris clypeata Dahlbom 1844
About Flies: the wider group
Order-level background for Hymenoptera, the group containing Cerceris clypeata. 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 Cerceris clypeata (5)
Photo credits: Contributed by Matthias Buck; Additional contributions by v belov , Robert H. Biagi
Frequently Asked Questions About Cerceris clypeata
How do you identify Cerceris clypeata?
♂ ♀
Where is Cerceris clypeata found?
Range: ON, BC, & e. half of the US ( map )
What does Cerceris clypeata eat?
The diet of the Cerceris clypeata includes Female with prey.