Diadasia laticauda
This record describes Diadasia laticauda (species). Recorded family: Apidae. Recorded order: Hymenoptera.
Identification and Appearance
apical rim of clypeus thickened in females
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
Xeric habitats
Geographic Range
California and adjacent Mexico
Diet and Behavior
Diet: pollen specialist of Malvaceae
Additional species information
Species notes from the sources
Etymology: Diadasia laticauda Cockerell 1905
About Flies: the wider group
Order-level background for Hymenoptera, the group containing Diadasia laticauda. 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 Diadasia laticauda (3)
Photo credits: Contributed by Keng-Lou James Hung; Additional contributions by John S. Ascher , v belov , PaleoJon
Frequently Asked Questions About Diadasia laticauda
What is Diadasia laticauda?
Diadasia laticauda is a species in the family Apidae, within the order Hymenoptera.
How do you identify Diadasia laticauda?
apical rim of clypeus thickened in females
Where is Diadasia laticauda found?
| Feature | Details |
|---|---|
| Habitat | Xeric habitats |
| Range | California and adjacent Mexico |
What does Diadasia laticauda eat?
The diet of the Diadasia laticauda includes pollen specialist of Malvaceae.