Lithurgopsis apicalis
This record describes Lithurgopsis apicalis (species). Recorded family: Megachilidae. Recorded order: Hymenoptera.
Identification and Appearance
Some populations have conspicuous bright orange hairs at the tip of the metasoma
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
- Lithurginae
- Genus
- Lithurgopsis
Imported taxonomy record. Source availability varies; see the source references and editorial policy below.
Habitat and Range
Geographic Range
West Discover Life Map
Diet and Behavior
Diet: Specialists on cactus including Opuntia (Cactaceae). The Hosts section on its Discover Life species page lists known floral associations based on specimen records and images.
Life History
Wood-nesting. Detailed description of nesting behavior here .
Additional species information
Species notes from the sources
Etymology: Author: Cresson, 1875. Name refers to the distinctive tail tip
About Flies: the wider group
Order-level background for Hymenoptera, the group containing Lithurgopsis apicalis. 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 Lithurgopsis apicalis (5)
Photo credits: Contributed by Will Chatfield-Taylor; Additional contributions by John VanDyk , Beatriz Moisset , John S. Ascher , hg , PaleoJon
Frequently Asked Questions About Lithurgopsis apicalis
What is Lithurgopsis apicalis?
Lithurgopsis apicalis is a species in the family Megachilidae, within the order Hymenoptera.
How do you identify Lithurgopsis apicalis?
Some populations have conspicuous bright orange hairs at the tip of the metasoma
Where is Lithurgopsis apicalis found?
Range: West Discover Life Map
What does Lithurgopsis apicalis eat?
The diet of the Lithurgopsis apicalis includes Specialists on cactus including Opuntia (Cactaceae). The Hosts section on its Discover Life species page lists known floral associations based on specimen records and images..
What is the life cycle of a Lithurgopsis apicalis?
Wood-nesting. Detailed description of nesting behavior here .