Megachile inermis
This record describes Megachile inermis (species). Recorded family: Megachilidae. Recorded order: Hymenoptera.
Identification and Appearance
Identification notes
Very large head and long vertex .
Wikipedia reference for Megachile inermis: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Megachile_inermis.
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
Discover Life Global Map . British Columbia to Nova Scotia, south to New Mexico, Texas and Georgia.
Seasonal Activity
June to September
Diet and Behavior
Diet: The Hosts section on its Discover Life species page lists known associations based on specimen records and images.
Additional species information
Species notes from the sources
Etymology: Author of species is Provancher, 1888.
About Flies: the wider group
Order-level background for Hymenoptera, the group containing Megachile inermis. 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 inermis (2)
Photo credits: Contributed by Ted Kropiewnicki; Additional contributions by Beatriz Moisset , John S. Ascher , hg , PaleoJon
Frequently Asked Questions About Megachile inermis
How big is Megachile inermis?
Female 15-20 mm. Male 11-15 mm.
How do you identify Megachile inermis?
Very large head and long vertex .
Where is Megachile inermis found?
Range: Discover Life Global Map . British Columbia to Nova Scotia, south to New Mexico, Texas and Georgia.
What does Megachile inermis eat?
The diet of the Megachile inermis includes The Hosts section on its Discover Life species page lists known associations based on specimen records and images..
When is Megachile inermis active?
Megachile inermis: seasonal activity - June to September.