Macropis nuda
This record describes Macropis nuda (species). Recorded family: Melittidae. Recorded order: Hymenoptera.
Identification and Appearance
Somewhat painful sting - not quite as bad as a honey bee. --Graham Montgomery (personal experience)
Wikipedia reference for Macropis nuda: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Macropis_nuda.
Classification
- Kingdom
- Animalia
- Phylum
- Arthropoda
- Class
- Insecta
- Order
- Hymenoptera (Ants, Bees, Wasps and Sawflies)
- Superfamily
- Trigonaloidea
- Family
- Melittidae (Melittid Bees)
- Subfamily
- Melittinae
- Tribe
- Macropidini
- Genus
- Macropis
Imported taxonomy record. Source availability varies; see the source references and editorial policy below.
Habitat and Range
Geographic Range
northern transcontinental & western montane ( map )
Diet and Behavior
Diet: recorded hosts ; pollen specialist on Lysimachia (Primulaceae)
Additional species information
Species notes from the sources
Etymology: Macropis nuda (Provancher, 1882)
About Flies: the wider group
Order-level background for Hymenoptera, the group containing Macropis nuda. 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.
Frequently Asked Questions About Macropis nuda
What is Macropis nuda?
Macropis nuda is a species in the family Melittidae, within the order Hymenoptera.
Where is Macropis nuda found?
Range: northern transcontinental & western montane ( map )
What does Macropis nuda eat?
The diet of the Macropis nuda includes recorded hosts ; pollen specialist on Lysimachia (Primulaceae).