Eucerceris zonata
This record describes Eucerceris zonata (species). Recorded family: Crabronidae. Recorded order: Hymenoptera.
Identification and Appearance
Extent of yellow markings highly variable (Scullen, 1939)
Classification
- Kingdom
- Animalia
- Phylum
- Arthropoda
- Class
- Insecta
- Order
- Hymenoptera (Ants, Bees, Wasps and Sawflies)
- Superfamily
- Trigonaloidea
- Family
- Crabronidae (Square-headed Wasps, Sand Wasps, and Allies)
- Subfamily
- Philanthinae
- Tribe
- Cercerini
- Genus
- Eucerceris
Imported taxonomy record. Source availability varies; see the source references and editorial policy below.
Habitat and Range
Geographic Range
Ontario (no recent records), Manitoba (BugGuide); northeastern and central U.S.: NH and MA west to ND, SD, WY, CO, south to TX, AR and southern Illinois (Scullen, 1968)
Seasonal Activity
Adults Mid-July to mid-August
Diet and Behavior
Diet: Provisions its nest with weevils of the species Stephanocleonus plumbeus (Evans, 1971)
Life History
Nest in sparsely vegetated, fine-grained, sandy soil (Evans, 1971)
Additional species information
Species notes from the sources
Etymology: Eucerceris zonata (Say 1823)
About Flies: the wider group
Order-level background for Hymenoptera, the group containing Eucerceris zonata. 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 Eucerceris zonata (5)
Photo credits: Contributed by Matthias Buck; Additional contributions by v belov
Frequently Asked Questions About Eucerceris zonata
What is Eucerceris zonata?
Eucerceris zonata is a species in the family Crabronidae, within the order Hymenoptera.
How do you identify Eucerceris zonata?
Extent of yellow markings highly variable (Scullen, 1939)
Where is Eucerceris zonata found?
Range: Ontario (no recent records), Manitoba (BugGuide); northeastern and central U.S.: NH and MA west to ND, SD, WY, CO, south to TX, AR and southern Illinois (Scullen, 1968)
What does Eucerceris zonata eat?
The diet of the Eucerceris zonata includes Provisions its nest with weevils of the species Stephanocleonus plumbeus (Evans, 1971).
When is Eucerceris zonata active?
Eucerceris zonata: seasonal activity - Adults Mid-July to mid-August.
What is the life cycle of a Eucerceris zonata?
Nest in sparsely vegetated, fine-grained, sandy soil (Evans, 1971)