Epeolus autumnalis
This record describes Epeolus autumnalis (species). Recorded family: Apidae. Recorded order: Hymenoptera.
Identification and Appearance
| Feature | Details |
|---|---|
| Head | Black. Lower face has pale yellowish hairs, denser on inner eye margin. Male lower face has more dense whiter hairs. Antenna: Black – females 10 segments, males 11. |
| Thorax | Black, all segments more or less outlined in pale yellow. Collar (pronotum) yellow stripe not interrupted at center. Segment 1 (scutum) has 2 yellow median lines each side of center. Segment 2 (scutellum) has black spines (axillae) at each side edge not protruding. Segment 3 (propodeum) has yellowish spots curving inward on each side. Thorax sides have some yellowish hairs below wing bases, more so on male. Tubercles are faint reddish-brown surrounded with a yellow fringe of hairs. Underside of thorax dense silvery on male only. Wings: Wing knobs (tegulae) reddish. Wings darkly tinted (lighter on male), tips darker. |
| Legs | Thighs (femora) blackish. Shins (tibiae), feet (tarsi) and spurs reddish. Hind leg colors darker on male. |
| Abdomen | Black with all pale yellow stripes on all segments, either slightly indented or slightly interrupted at center. Segment 1 has a stripe at both the base and lower rim, and joined at side edges. Segment 5 female has a large spot on each side of center. Female tip is a triangular patch of silvery-white hairs. Male has 1 to 6 striped and slightly interrupted at center. Underside of segments 2 to 4 striped. Types: Lectotype female by Robertson, 1902. #9528. In Illinois Natural History Survey. Lectotype designated by LaBerge in 1979. Holotype male by Mitchell, 1960 in author's collection. Locality: Michigan by A. W. Andrews Sep 23, 1923. Type specimen location unknown. |
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
- Nomadinae
- Tribe
- Epeolini
- Genus
- Epeolus
Imported taxonomy record. Source availability varies; see the source references and editorial policy below.
Habitat and Range
Habitat
Forest edges and meadows.
Geographic Range
Discover Life Map Mass., Michigan. Canada: Ontario.
Seasonal Activity
September only.
Diet and Behavior
Diet: The Hosts section on its Discover Life species page lists known associations based on specimen records and images.
Life History
Females lay eggs in ground-nesting cells of Plasterer bees, ( Colletes compactus ) larva hatch and kill the Plasterer bee egg and feed on the provisions of pollen and nectar stored in the cell.
About Flies: the wider group
Order-level background for Hymenoptera, the group containing Epeolus autumnalis. 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 Epeolus autumnalis (5)
Photo credits: Contributed by tom murray; Additional contributions by John S. Ascher , hg , lee_penner , PaleoJon
Frequently Asked Questions About Epeolus autumnalis
What is Epeolus autumnalis?
Epeolus autumnalis is a species in the family Apidae, within the order Hymenoptera.
How big is Epeolus autumnalis?
Female 9 to 11 mm. Male 7 to 9 mm.
How do you identify Epeolus autumnalis?
| Feature | Details |
|---|---|
| Head | Black. Lower face has pale yellowish hairs, denser on inner eye margin. Male lower face has more dense whiter hairs. Antenna: Black – females 10 segments, males 11. |
| Thorax | Black, all segments more or less outlined in pale yellow. Collar (pronotum) yellow stripe not interrupted at center. Segment 1 (scutum) has 2 yellow median lines each side of center. Segment 2 (scutellum) has black spines (axillae) at each side edge not protruding. Segment 3 (propodeum) has yellowish spots curving inward on each side. Thorax sides have some yellowish hairs below wing bases, more so on male. Tubercles are faint reddish-brown surrounded with a yellow fringe of hairs. Underside of thorax dense silvery on male only. Wings: Wing knobs (tegulae) reddish. Wings darkly tinted (lighter on male), tips darker. |
| Legs | Thighs (femora) blackish. Shins (tibiae), feet (tarsi) and spurs reddish. Hind leg colors darker on male. |
| Abdomen | Black with all pale yellow stripes on all segments, either slightly indented or slightly interrupted at center. Segment 1 has a stripe at both the base and lower rim, and joined at side edges. Segment 5 female has a large spot on each side of center. Female tip is a triangular patch of silvery-white hairs. Male has 1 to 6 striped and slightly interrupted at center. Underside of segments 2 to 4 striped. |
Where is Epeolus autumnalis found?
| Feature | Details |
|---|---|
| Habitat | Forest edges and meadows. |
| Range | Discover Life Map Mass., Michigan. Canada: Ontario. |
What does Epeolus autumnalis eat?
The diet of the Epeolus autumnalis includes The Hosts section on its Discover Life species page lists known associations based on specimen records and images..
When is Epeolus autumnalis active?
Epeolus autumnalis: seasonal activity - September only..
What is the life cycle of a Epeolus autumnalis?
Females lay eggs in ground-nesting cells of Plasterer bees, ( Colletes compactus ) larva hatch and kill the Plasterer bee egg and feed on the provisions of pollen and nectar stored in the cell.