Megachile bahamensis
This record describes Megachile bahamensis (species). Recorded family: Megachilidae. Recorded order: Hymenoptera.
Identification and Appearance
Note the ferruginous mid and hind tarsi (blackish in the otherwise similar M. xylocopoides ).
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
- Megachilini
- Genus
- Megachile (Leafcutter and Resin Bees)
Imported taxonomy record. Source availability varies; see the source references and editorial policy below.
Habitat and Range
Geographic Range
Southern Florida and the Bahamas. Discover Life Global Map
Seasonal Activity
March to October.
Diet and Behavior
Diet: The Hosts section on its Discover Life species page lists known floral associations based on specimen records and images.
About Flies: the wider group
Order-level background for Hymenoptera, the group containing Megachile bahamensis. 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 Megachile bahamensis (5)
Photo credits: Contributed by Sean McCann; Additional contributions by Beatriz Moisset , John S. Ascher , JohnMaxwell22 , hg , PaleoJon
Frequently Asked Questions About Megachile bahamensis
What is Megachile bahamensis?
Megachile bahamensis is a species in the family Megachilidae, within the order Hymenoptera.
How do you identify Megachile bahamensis?
Note the ferruginous mid and hind tarsi (blackish in the otherwise similar M. xylocopoides ).
Where is Megachile bahamensis found?
Range: Southern Florida and the Bahamas. Discover Life Global Map
What does Megachile bahamensis eat?
The diet of the Megachile bahamensis includes The Hosts section on its Discover Life species page lists known floral associations based on specimen records and images..
When is Megachile bahamensis active?
Megachile bahamensis: seasonal activity - March to October..