Crossocerus nitidiventris
This record describes Crossocerus nitidiventris (species). Recorded family: Crabronidae. Recorded order: Hymenoptera.
Identification and Appearance
It is an unusual species in its genus because of the yellow markings on the abdomen (only present in one other species). What makes this this wasp distinctive is: yellow spots on smooth area of propodeum, yellow prepectus (that's the area just behind the pronotal lobe), rounded pronotal angles (excludes many other crabronines with similar markings), and yellow spots of similar size on terga 2-5.
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
- Crabroninae
- Tribe
- Crabronini
- Genus
- Crossocerus
Imported taxonomy record. Source availability varies; see the source references and editorial policy below.
Habitat and Range
Geographic Range
Quebec & Ontario, south to Georgia and west to Minnesota and Texas
Diet and Behavior
Diet: Larvae provisioned by females with flies. Recorded prey species includes Nephrotoma virescens , a tipulid. Adults take nectar at flowers.
Additional species information
Species notes from the sources
Etymology: Epithet nitidiventris from Latin: nitidi- = shining, handsome; ventris = underside, belly...as in "venter".
About Flies: the wider group
Order-level background for Hymenoptera, the group containing Crossocerus nitidiventris. 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 Crossocerus nitidiventris (5)
Photo credits: Contributed by Matthias Buck; Additional contributions by tom murray , Aaron Schusteff , v belov
Frequently Asked Questions About Crossocerus nitidiventris
What is Crossocerus nitidiventris?
Crossocerus nitidiventris is a species in the family Crabronidae, within the order Hymenoptera.
How big is Crossocerus nitidiventris?
11 - 12 mm
How do you identify Crossocerus nitidiventris?
It is an unusual species in its genus because of the yellow markings on the abdomen (only present in one other species). What makes this this wasp distinctive is: yellow spots on smooth area of propodeum, yellow prepectus (that's the area just behind the pronotal lobe), rounded pronotal angles (excludes many other crabronines with similar markings), and yellow spots of similar size on terga 2-5.
Where is Crossocerus nitidiventris found?
Range: Quebec & Ontario, south to Georgia and west to Minnesota and Texas
What does Crossocerus nitidiventris eat?
The diet of the Crossocerus nitidiventris includes Larvae provisioned by females with flies. Recorded prey species includes Nephrotoma virescens , a tipulid. Adults take nectar at flowers..