Solanum Exomalopsis
Exomalopsis solani
This record describes Exomalopsis solani (species). Recorded family: Apidae. Recorded order: Hymenoptera.
Identification and Appearance
Nest communally in hard packed horizontal ground. There is evidence of cooperativity.
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
- Exomalopsini
- Genus
- Exomalopsis
Imported taxonomy record. Source availability varies; see the source references and editorial policy below.
Habitat and Range
Geographic Range
c. US - Map (Discover Life)
Diet and Behavior
Diet: The Hosts section on its Discover Life species page lists known associations based on specimen records and images.
Additional species information
Species notes from the sources
Etymology: Exomalopsis (Stilbomalopsis) solani Cockerell 1896
About Flies: the wider group
Order-level background for Hymenoptera, the group containing Exomalopsis solani. 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 Solanum Exomalopsis (5)
Photo credits: Contributed by John S. Ascher; Additional contributions by Beatriz Moisset , Mike Quinn , v belov , hg
Frequently Asked Questions About Solanum Exomalopsis
What is Solanum Exomalopsis?
Solanum Exomalopsis (Exomalopsis solani) is a species in the family Apidae, within the order Hymenoptera.
Where is Solanum Exomalopsis found?
Range: c. US - Map (Discover Life)
What does Solanum Exomalopsis eat?
The diet of the Solanum Exomalopsis includes The Hosts section on its Discover Life species page lists known associations based on specimen records and images..