Smoky-winged Beetle-bandit
Cerceris fumipennis
This record describes Cerceris fumipennis (species). Recorded family: Crabronidae. Recorded order: Hymenoptera.
Identification and Appearance
Smoky brown wings, a creamy yellow band on T2, 3 pale spots on face in females, 2 in the males ♂ ♀ Mating preys mostly on Buprestidae. The wasp is used to detect EAB presence ( Careless et al. 2009 )
Wikipedia reference for Cerceris fumipennis: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Cerceris_fumipennis.
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
much of NA east of the Rockies + BC ( map )
Diet and Behavior
Diet: Females with prey
Life History
Ground-nesting; nest entrance diameter is about a pencil's
Additional species information
Species notes from the sources
Etymology: Cerceris fumipennis Say 1837
About Flies: the wider group
Order-level background for Hymenoptera, the group containing Cerceris fumipennis. 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 Smoky-winged Beetle-bandit (2)
Photo credits: Contributed by Eric R. Eaton; Additional contributions by Beatriz Moisset , Joshua Stuart Rose , Bbarnd , Mike Quinn , v belov , Robert H. Biagi
Frequently Asked Questions About Smoky-winged Beetle-bandit
What is Smoky-winged Beetle-bandit?
Smoky-winged Beetle-bandit (Cerceris fumipennis) is a species in the family Crabronidae, within the order Hymenoptera.
How do you identify Smoky-winged Beetle-bandit?
Smoky brown wings, a creamy yellow band on T2, 3 pale spots on face in females, 2 in the males ♂ ♀ Mating
Where is Smoky-winged Beetle-bandit found?
Range: much of NA east of the Rockies + BC ( map )
What does Smoky-winged Beetle-bandit eat?
The diet of the Smoky-winged Beetle-bandit includes Females with prey.
What is the life cycle of a Smoky-winged Beetle-bandit?
Ground-nesting; nest entrance diameter is about a pencil's