Eumenes consobrinus
This record describes Eumenes consobrinus (species). Recorded family: Vespidae. Recorded order: Hymenoptera.
Identification and Appearance
Shares with E. bollii the evenly rounded anterior edge of the pronotum, without a transverse carina. E. consobrinus is distinguished by a black scape (seldom with a basal yellow spot) and hairs on scape longer than 1 mid-ocellus diameter. Apical area of tergum I with light to medium punctation. Females are additionally distinguished from the similarly-colored E. verticalis by the singular, small median spot on the clypeus ( Buck, unpublished notes ).
Classification
- Kingdom
- Animalia
- Phylum
- Arthropoda
- Class
- Insecta
- Order
- Hymenoptera (Ants, Bees, Wasps and Sawflies)
- Superfamily
- Vespoidea
- Family
- Vespidae
- Subfamily
- Eumeninae
- Genus
- Eumenes
Imported taxonomy record. Source availability varies; see the source references and editorial policy below.
Habitat and Range
Geographic Range
w NA (BC-CA to MT-NM) to Panama
Additional species information
Species notes from the sources
Etymology: Eumenes consobrinus de Saussure, 1856
About Flies: the wider group
Order-level background for Hymenoptera, the group containing Eumenes consobrinus. 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 Eumenes consobrinus (5)
Photo credits: Contributed by Hartmut Wisch; Additional contributions by v belov , PaleoJon
Frequently Asked Questions About Eumenes consobrinus
What is Eumenes consobrinus?
Eumenes consobrinus is a species in the family Vespidae, within the order Hymenoptera.
How do you identify Eumenes consobrinus?
Shares with E. bollii the evenly rounded anterior edge of the pronotum, without a transverse carina. E. consobrinus is distinguished by a black scape (seldom with a basal yellow spot) and hairs on scape longer than 1 mid-ocellus diameter. Apical area of tergum I with light to medium punctation. Females are additionally distinguished from the similarly-colored E. verticalis by the singular, small median spot on the clypeus ( Buck, unpublished notes ).
Where is Eumenes consobrinus found?
Range: w NA (BC-CA to MT-NM) to Panama