Megachile frigida
This record describes Megachile frigida (species). Recorded family: Megachilidae. Recorded order: Hymenoptera.
Identification and Appearance
It has dark front tibiae unlike M. latimanus Nests underground.
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
all of North America ( Discover life Global Map )
Seasonal Activity
June to September
Diet and Behavior
Diet: 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: Megachile frigida Smith, 1853
About Flies: the wider group
Order-level background for Hymenoptera, the group containing Megachile frigida. 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 frigida (2)
Photo credits: Contributed by Ted Kropiewnicki; Additional contributions by Beatriz Moisset , Robin McLeod , Mike Quinn , John S. Ascher , hg , PaleoJon
Frequently Asked Questions About Megachile frigida
What is Megachile frigida?
Megachile frigida is a species in the family Megachilidae, within the order Hymenoptera.
How big is Megachile frigida?
| Feature | Details |
|---|---|
| Female | 12-15 mm |
| Male | 11-15 mm |
How do you identify Megachile frigida?
It has dark front tibiae unlike M. latimanus
Where is Megachile frigida found?
Range: all of North America ( Discover life Global Map )
What does Megachile frigida eat?
The diet of the Megachile frigida includes The Hosts section on its Discover Life species page lists known floral associations based on specimen records and images..
When is Megachile frigida active?
Megachile frigida: seasonal activity - June to September.