Euparagia scutellaris
This record describes Euparagia scutellaris (species). Recorded family: Vespidae. Recorded order: Hymenoptera.
Identification and Appearance
Constructs nests in the ground with a curved turret at the surface
Classification
- Kingdom
- Animalia
- Phylum
- Arthropoda
- Class
- Insecta
- Order
- Hymenoptera (Ants, Bees, Wasps and Sawflies)
- Superfamily
- Vespoidea
- Family
- Vespidae
- Subfamily
- Euparagiinae
- Genus
- Euparagia
Imported taxonomy record. Source availability varies; see the source references and editorial policy below.
Habitat and Range
Geographic Range
CA-Baja to ID-UT
Diet and Behavior
Diet: Provisions nests with weevil larvae
Additional species information
Species notes from the sources
Etymology: Euparagia scutellaris Cresson 1879
About Flies: the wider group
Order-level background for Hymenoptera, the group containing Euparagia scutellaris. 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 Euparagia scutellaris (3)
Photo credits: Contributed by George Waldren; Additional contributions by Beatriz Moisset , Aaron Schusteff , v belov
Frequently Asked Questions About Euparagia scutellaris
What is Euparagia scutellaris?
Euparagia scutellaris is a species in the family Vespidae, within the order Hymenoptera.
Where is Euparagia scutellaris found?
Range: CA-Baja to ID-UT
What does Euparagia scutellaris eat?
The diet of the Euparagia scutellaris includes Provisions nests with weevil larvae.