Coelioxys octodentatus
This record describes Coelioxys octodentatus (species). Recorded family: Megachilidae. Recorded order: Hymenoptera.
Identification and Appearance
Octodentatus can be difficult to distinguish from sayi , especially in the males. Separating characters include: 1- The distance from the lateral ocelli to the vertex margin is larger than the distance between the lateral ocelli 2- The legs tend to be orange in color all the way from the tarsi up through the femurs, but they may be darker in some specimens 3- The vertex tends to be reddish brown, but may also be black Of these characters, the vertex/ocelli measurement character is the most dependable. Be sure to measure this character carefully. Eye-balling it is likely to be misleading. Discover Life It's been reported that Coelioxys octodentatus has been reared from nests of Megachile mendica , M. brevis , M. centuncularis , M. perihirta , M. texana , M. onobrychidis , and M. rotundata (Baker J. R., 1975)
Classification
- Kingdom
- Animalia
- Phylum
- Arthropoda
- Class
- Insecta
- Order
- Hymenoptera (Ants, Bees, Wasps and Sawflies)
- Superfamily
- Trigonaloidea
- Family
- Megachilidae (Leafcutter, Mason, and Resin Bees, and allies)
- Subfamily
- Megachilinae
- Tribe
- Megachilini
- Genus
- Coelioxys (Sharptail Bees)
Imported taxonomy record. Source availability varies; see the source references and editorial policy below.
Habitat and Range
Geographic Range
British Columbia and California, east to Quebec, the New England states, and Florida. Discover Life Map
Seasonal Activity
May to October
Diet and Behavior
Diet: Observed on goldenrod and mountain mint. The Hosts section on its Discover Life species page lists known floral associations based on specimen records and images.
About Flies: the wider group
Order-level background for Hymenoptera, the group containing Coelioxys octodentatus. 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 Coelioxys octodentatus (2)
Photo credits: Contributed by George Waldren; Additional contributions by Beatriz Moisset , John S. Ascher , hg , PaleoJon
Frequently Asked Questions About Coelioxys octodentatus
What is Coelioxys octodentatus?
Coelioxys octodentatus is a species in the family Megachilidae, within the order Hymenoptera.
How big is Coelioxys octodentatus?
| Feature | Details |
|---|---|
| Female | 8-12 mm. |
| Male | 8-10 mm |
How do you identify Coelioxys octodentatus?
Octodentatus can be difficult to distinguish from sayi , especially in the males. Separating characters include: 1- The distance from the lateral ocelli to the vertex margin is larger than the distance between the lateral ocelli 2- The legs tend to be orange in color all the way from the tarsi up through the femurs, but they may be darker in some specimens 3- The vertex tends to be reddish brown, but may also be black Of these characters, the vertex/ocelli measurement character is the most dependable. Be sure to measure this character carefully. Eye-balling it is likely to be misleading. Discover Life
Where is Coelioxys octodentatus found?
Range: British Columbia and California, east to Quebec, the New England states, and Florida. Discover Life Map
What does Coelioxys octodentatus eat?
The diet of the Coelioxys octodentatus includes Observed on goldenrod and mountain mint. The Hosts section on its Discover Life species page lists known floral associations based on specimen records and images..
When is Coelioxys octodentatus active?
Coelioxys octodentatus: seasonal activity - May to October.