Modest Masked Bee
Hylaeus modestus
This record describes Hylaeus modestus (species). Recorded family: Colletidae. Recorded order: Hymenoptera.
Identification and Appearance
Wikipedia reference for Hylaeus modestus: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Hylaeus_modestus.
Classification
- Kingdom
- Animalia
- Phylum
- Arthropoda
- Class
- Insecta
- Order
- Hymenoptera (Ants, Bees, Wasps and Sawflies)
- Superfamily
- Trigonaloidea
- Family
- Colletidae (Cellophane, Plasterer, Masked, and Allied Bees)
- Subfamily
- Diphaglossinae
- Genus
- Hylaeus (Masked Bees)
Imported taxonomy record. Source availability varies; see the source references and editorial policy below.
Habitat and Range
Geographic Range
Throughout the most of the United States (in the west from WA to MT and down Rockies to NM, and also down to CA; in the east from TX north to MN, east to ME, and south to SC) and into Canada (in Alberta and from Manitoba to Nova Scotia). See Discover Life map of records .
Seasonal Activity
May to September
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: Hylaeus modestus Say 1837
About Flies: the wider group
Order-level background for Hymenoptera, the group containing Hylaeus modestus. 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 Modest Masked Bee (3)
Photo credits: Contributed by tom murray; Additional contributions by Beatriz Moisset , Mike Quinn , John S. Ascher , Aaron Schusteff , hg , Nathaniel Green
Frequently Asked Questions About Modest Masked Bee
How big is Modest Masked Bee?
| Feature | Details |
|---|---|
| Female | Length 5-7mm |
| Male | Length 4.5-7mm |
Where is Modest Masked Bee found?
Range: Throughout the most of the United States (in the west from WA to MT and down Rockies to NM, and also down to CA; in the east from TX north to MN, east to ME, and south to SC) and into Canada (in Alberta and from Manitoba to Nova Scotia). See Discover Life map of records .
What does Modest Masked Bee eat?
The diet of the Modest Masked Bee 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 Modest Masked Bee active?
Modest Masked Bee: seasonal activity - May to September.