Florilegus condignus
This record describes Florilegus condignus (species). Recorded family: Apidae. Recorded order: Hymenoptera.
Identification and Appearance
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
- Eucerini
- Genus
- Florilegus
Imported taxonomy record. Source availability varies; see the source references and editorial policy below.
Habitat and Range
Geographic Range
Colorado to New Jersey, south to Texas and Florida in the USA. Also Widespread in the Neotropics south to South America
Seasonal Activity
May to August, but with early and late records in April and September in Florida.
Diet and Behavior
Diet: Pontederia (pickerel weed) - it specializes on this plant
Additional species information
Species notes from the sources
Etymology: Author: Cresson 1878
About Flies: the wider group
Order-level background for Hymenoptera, the group containing Florilegus condignus. 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 Florilegus condignus (5)
Photo credits: Contributed by John S. Ascher; Additional contributions by Beatriz Moisset , Marci Hess , PaleoJon
Frequently Asked Questions About Florilegus condignus
How big is Florilegus condignus?
| Feature | Details |
|---|---|
| Female | 11-12 mm. |
| Male | 9.5-12.5 mm. |
Where is Florilegus condignus found?
Range: Colorado to New Jersey, south to Texas and Florida in the USA. Also Widespread in the Neotropics south to South America
What does Florilegus condignus eat?
The diet of the Florilegus condignus includes Pontederia (pickerel weed) - it specializes on this plant.
When is Florilegus condignus active?
Florilegus condignus: seasonal activity - May to August, but with early and late records in April and September in Florida..