Euodynerus hidalgo
This record describes Euodynerus hidalgo (species). Recorded family: Vespidae. Recorded order: Hymenoptera.
Identification and Appearance
Thin, lamellate, reflexed hind margins of 2nd and 3rd tergites is diagnostic for this species. The amount of black is highly variable in this species and other vespids. The eastern subspecies (boreoorientalis) is mainly black. Some specimens of this species from one locality in Florida have practically no red while others are almost completely red. In general, structural characters are more reliable and play a more important role in identification, though some species also show significant structural variation. (Comment by Mathias Buck).
Wikipedia reference for Euodynerus hidalgo: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Euodynerus_hidalgo.
Classification
- Kingdom
- Animalia
- Phylum
- Arthropoda
- Class
- Insecta
- Order
- Hymenoptera (Ants, Bees, Wasps and Sawflies)
- Superfamily
- Vespoidea
- Family
- Vespidae
- Subfamily
- Eumeninae
- Genus
- Euodynerus
Imported taxonomy record. Source availability varies; see the source references and editorial policy below.
Habitat and Range
Geographic Range
WA-CO-VT and all states south.
Diet and Behavior
Life History
Nests in burrows in dirt banks, and in cells of Sceliphron (mud) and Polistes (paper) nests. U. of Texas
About Flies: the wider group
Order-level background for Hymenoptera, the group containing Euodynerus hidalgo. 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 Euodynerus hidalgo (3)
Photo credits: Contributed by tom murray; Additional contributions by Beatriz Moisset , Matthias Buck , Mike Quinn , Nathaniel Green
Frequently Asked Questions About Euodynerus hidalgo
What is Euodynerus hidalgo?
Euodynerus hidalgo is a species in the family Vespidae, within the order Hymenoptera.
How do you identify Euodynerus hidalgo?
Thin, lamellate, reflexed hind margins of 2nd and 3rd tergites is diagnostic for this species. The amount of black is highly variable in this species and other vespids. The eastern subspecies (boreoorientalis) is mainly black. Some specimens of this species from one locality in Florida have practically no red while others are almost completely red. In general, structural characters are more reliable and play a more important role in identification, though some species also show significant structural variation. (Comment by Mathias Buck).
Where is Euodynerus hidalgo found?
Range: WA-CO-VT and all states south.
What is the life cycle of a Euodynerus hidalgo?
Nests in burrows in dirt banks, and in cells of Sceliphron (mud) and Polistes (paper) nests. U. of Texas