Epimelissodes petulcus
This record describes Epimelissodes petulcus (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
- Eucerini
- Genus
- Epimelissodes
Imported taxonomy record. Source availability varies; see the source references and editorial policy below.
Habitat and Range
Geographic Range
Discover Life Map Texas to Kansas, east to Florida and New Jersey.
Seasonal Activity
April to September.
Diet and Behavior
Diet: The Flower Records and Hosts sections on its Discover Life species page lists known associations based on specimen records and images. Pollen specialist on Asteraceae
Additional species information
Species notes from the sources
Etymology: Author: (Cresson, 1878)
About Flies: the wider group
Order-level background for Hymenoptera, the group containing Epimelissodes petulcus. 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 Epimelissodes petulcus (2)
Photo credits: Contributed by John S. Ascher; Additional contributions by Beatriz Moisset , hg , PaleoJon
Frequently Asked Questions About Epimelissodes petulcus
How big is Epimelissodes petulcus?
| Feature | Details |
|---|---|
| Female | 12.5-14.5 mm. |
| Male | 11-13 mm. |
Where is Epimelissodes petulcus found?
Range: Discover Life Map Texas to Kansas, east to Florida and New Jersey.
What does Epimelissodes petulcus eat?
The diet of the Epimelissodes petulcus includes The Flower Records and Hosts sections on its Discover Life species page lists known associations based on specimen records and images. Pollen specialist on Asteraceae.
When is Epimelissodes petulcus active?
Epimelissodes petulcus: seasonal activity - April to September..