Hexepeolus rhodogyne
This record describes Hexepeolus rhodogyne (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
- Nomadinae
- Tribe
- Hexepeolini
- Genus
- Hexepeolus
Imported taxonomy record. Source availability varies; see the source references and editorial policy below.
Habitat and Range
Habitat
Xeric habitats
Geographic Range
sw. US & nw. Mexico ( map )
Seasonal Activity
Spring
Diet and Behavior
Diet: The Hosts section on its Discover Life species page lists known floral associations based on specimen records and images.
Life History
Cleptoparasitic on Ancylandrena spp.
Additional species information
Species notes from the sources
Etymology: Hexepeolus rhodogyne Linsley & Michener 1937
About Flies: the wider group
Order-level background for Hymenoptera, the group containing Hexepeolus rhodogyne. 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 Hexepeolus rhodogyne (5)
Photo credits: Contributed by Keng-Lou James Hung; Additional contributions by v belov , hg , Nathaniel Green
Frequently Asked Questions About Hexepeolus rhodogyne
How big is Hexepeolus rhodogyne?
7-9 mm
Where is Hexepeolus rhodogyne found?
| Feature | Details |
|---|---|
| Habitat | Xeric habitats |
| Range | sw. US & nw. Mexico ( map ) |
What does Hexepeolus rhodogyne eat?
The diet of the Hexepeolus rhodogyne includes The Hosts section on its Discover Life species page lists known floral associations based on specimen records and images..
When is Hexepeolus rhodogyne active?
Hexepeolus rhodogyne: seasonal activity - Spring.
What is the life cycle of a Hexepeolus rhodogyne?
Cleptoparasitic on Ancylandrena spp.