HymenopteraPompilidae – Spider Wasps

Ceropales bipunctata

This record describes Ceropales bipunctata (species). Recorded family: Pompilidae. Recorded order: Hymenoptera.

Identification and Appearance

Ceropales bipunctata - Ceropales bipunctata
Contributed by Nick Fensler; Additional contributions by Robert H. Biagi

Classification

Kingdom
Animalia
Phylum
Arthropoda
Class
Insecta
Order
Hymenoptera (Ants, Bees, Wasps and Sawflies)
Superfamily
Pompiloidea
Family
Pompilidae (Spider Wasps)
Subfamily
Ceropalinae
Genus
Ceropales

Imported taxonomy record. Source availability varies; see the source references and editorial policy below.

Habitat and Range

Geographic Range

eastern NA

Diet and Behavior

Diet: Adults consume nectar from Goldenrod and a few other common flowering plants.

Life History

kleptoparasite

About Flies: the wider group

Order-level background for Hymenoptera, the group containing Ceropales bipunctata. 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.

Explore Hymenoptera families and species →

Photos of Ceropales bipunctata (5)

Ceropales bipunctata - photo 1
Contributed by Nick Fensler; Additional contributions by Robert H. Biagi
Ceropales bipunctata - photo 2
Contributed by Nick Fensler; Additional contributions by Robert H. Biagi
Ceropales bipunctata - photo 3
Contributed by Nick Fensler; Additional contributions by Robert H. Biagi
Ceropales bipunctata - photo 4
Contributed by Nick Fensler; Additional contributions by Robert H. Biagi
Ceropales bipunctata - photo 5
Contributed by Nick Fensler; Additional contributions by Robert H. Biagi

Photo credits: Contributed by Nick Fensler; Additional contributions by Robert H. Biagi

Frequently Asked Questions About Ceropales bipunctata

Where is Ceropales bipunctata found?

Range: eastern NA

What does Ceropales bipunctata eat?

The diet of the Ceropales bipunctata includes Adults consume nectar from Goldenrod and a few other common flowering plants..

What is the life cycle of a Ceropales bipunctata?

kleptoparasite

How we use and review source data. Source count does not imply independent verification.

Photo credits: Contributed by Nick Fensler; Additional contributions by Robert H. Biagi. Contributors retain copyright over their individual contributions.