Halictus confusus
This record describes Halictus confusus (species). Recorded family: Halictidae. Recorded order: Hymenoptera.
Identification and Appearance
The integument (body, NOT HAIR) is greenish.
Wikipedia reference for Halictus confusus: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Halictus_confusus.
Classification
- Kingdom
- Animalia
- Phylum
- Arthropoda
- Class
- Insecta
- Order
- Hymenoptera (Ants, Bees, Wasps and Sawflies)
- Superfamily
- Trigonaloidea
- Family
- Halictidae (Sweat, Furrow, Nomiine, and Short-faced Bees)
- Subfamily
- Halictinae
- Tribe
- Halictini
- Genus
- Halictus (Furrow Bees)
Imported taxonomy record. Source availability varies; see the source references and editorial policy below.
Habitat and Range
Geographic Range
North America: Nova Scotia to North Dakota, South to Florida and Texas. Also all across Europe and Asia. Discover Life Map
Seasonal Activity
March-October
Diet and Behavior
Diet: Visits flowers from several families. The Hosts section on its Discover Life species page lists known floral associations based on specimen records and images.
Additional species information
Species notes from the sources
Etymology: Halictus (Seladonia) confusus Smith, 1853
About Flies: the wider group
Order-level background for Hymenoptera, the group containing Halictus confusus. 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 Halictus confusus (3)
Photo credits: Contributed by tom murray; Additional contributions by Beatriz Moisset , John S. Ascher , v belov , hg , PaleoJon , Nathaniel Green
Frequently Asked Questions About Halictus confusus
What is Halictus confusus?
Halictus confusus is a species in the family Halictidae, within the order Hymenoptera.
How big is Halictus confusus?
| Feature | Details |
|---|---|
| Female | Length 7mm |
| Male | Length 7mm |
How do you identify Halictus confusus?
The integument (body, NOT HAIR) is greenish.
Where is Halictus confusus found?
Range: North America: Nova Scotia to North Dakota, South to Florida and Texas. Also all across Europe and Asia. Discover Life Map
What does Halictus confusus eat?
The diet of the Halictus confusus includes Visits flowers from several families. The Hosts section on its Discover Life species page lists known floral associations based on specimen records and images..
When is Halictus confusus active?
Halictus confusus: seasonal activity - March-October.