Sunflower Chimney Bee
Diadasia enavata
This record describes Diadasia enavata (species). Recorded family: Apidae. Recorded order: Hymenoptera.
Identification and Appearance
Classification
- Kingdom
- Animalia
- Phylum
- Arthropoda
- Class
- Insecta
- Order
- Hymenoptera (Ants, Bees, Wasps and Sawflies)
- Superfamily
- Trigonaloidea
- Family
- Apidae (Cuckoo, Carpenter, Digger, Bumble, and Honey Bees)
- Subfamily
- Apinae
- Tribe
- Emphorini
- Genus
- Diadasia
Imported taxonomy record. Source availability varies; see the source references and editorial policy below.
Habitat and Range
Habitat
Associated with sunflower patches
Geographic Range
w. & c. US - Map (Discover Life)
Seasonal Activity
May-Sept (BG data)
Diet and Behavior
Diet: A specialists on composites especially sunflowers. The Hosts section on its Discover Life species page lists known associations based on specimen records and images.
Additional species information
Species notes from the sources
Etymology: Diadasia enavata (Cresson, 1872)
About Flies: the wider group
Order-level background for Hymenoptera, the group containing Diadasia enavata. 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 Sunflower Chimney Bee (5)
Photo credits: Contributed by Chuck Entz; Additional contributions by Beatriz Moisset , Mike Quinn , John S. Ascher , hg
Frequently Asked Questions About Sunflower Chimney Bee
Where is Sunflower Chimney Bee found?
| Feature | Details |
|---|---|
| Habitat | Associated with sunflower patches |
| Range | w. & c. US - Map (Discover Life) |
What does Sunflower Chimney Bee eat?
The diet of the Sunflower Chimney Bee includes A specialists on composites especially sunflowers. The Hosts section on its Discover Life species page lists known associations based on specimen records and images..
When is Sunflower Chimney Bee active?
Sunflower Chimney Bee: seasonal activity - May-Sept (BG data).