Dufourea australis
This record describes Dufourea australis (species). Recorded family: Halictidae. Recorded order: Hymenoptera.
Identification and Appearance
Classification
- Kingdom
- Animalia
- Phylum
- Arthropoda
- Class
- Insecta
- Order
- Hymenoptera (Ants, Bees, Wasps and Sawflies)
- Superfamily
- Trigonaloidea
- Family
- Halictidae (Sweat, Furrow, Nomiine, and Short-faced Bees)
- Subfamily
- Rophitinae
- Genus
- Dufourea (Short-faced Bees)
Imported taxonomy record. Source availability varies; see the source references and editorial policy below.
Habitat and Range
Habitat
Xeric habitats
Geographic Range
sw.USA & adjacent Mexico
Seasonal Activity
Apr & Oct
Diet and Behavior
Diet: Apparently a pollen specialist on Asteraceae; seems to prefer yellow-flowered plants
Additional species information
Species notes from the sources
Etymology: Dufourea australis (Michener 1937)
About Flies: the wider group
Order-level background for Hymenoptera, the group containing Dufourea australis. 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 Dufourea australis (5)
Photo credits: Contributed by Keng-Lou James Hung; Additional contributions by John S. Ascher , v belov , PaleoJon , Nathaniel Green
Frequently Asked Questions About Dufourea australis
Where is Dufourea australis found?
| Feature | Details |
|---|---|
| Habitat | Xeric habitats |
| Range | sw.USA & adjacent Mexico |
What does Dufourea australis eat?
The diet of the Dufourea australis includes Apparently a pollen specialist on Asteraceae; seems to prefer yellow-flowered plants.
When is Dufourea australis active?
Dufourea australis: seasonal activity - Apr & Oct.