Hoplitis albifrons
This record describes Hoplitis albifrons (species). Recorded family: Megachilidae. Recorded order: Hymenoptera.
Identification and Appearance
Classification
- Kingdom
- Animalia
- Phylum
- Arthropoda
- Class
- Insecta
- Order
- Hymenoptera (Ants, Bees, Wasps and Sawflies)
- Superfamily
- Trigonaloidea
- Family
- Megachilidae (Leafcutter, Mason, and Resin Bees, and allies)
- Subfamily
- Megachilinae
- Tribe
- Osmiini
- Genus
- Hoplitis
Imported taxonomy record. Source availability varies; see the source references and editorial policy below.
Habitat and Range
Geographic Range
AK‒BC‒NS north to Hudson Bay
Seasonal Activity
May‒Aug
Additional species information
Species notes from the sources
Etymology: Hoplitis albifrons (Kirby 1837)
About Flies: the wider group
Order-level background for Hymenoptera, the group containing Hoplitis albifrons. 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 Hoplitis albifrons (5)
Photo credits: Contributed by Beatriz Moisset; Additional contributions by Mike Quinn , John S. Ascher , v belov , hg , PaleoJon
Frequently Asked Questions About Hoplitis albifrons
How big is Hoplitis albifrons?
♀ 11-13 mm, ♂ 9 mm
Where is Hoplitis albifrons found?
Range: AK‒BC‒NS north to Hudson Bay
When is Hoplitis albifrons active?
Hoplitis albifrons: seasonal activity - May‒Aug.