Megachile melanophaea
This record describes Megachile melanophaea (species). Recorded family: Megachilidae. Recorded order: Hymenoptera.
Identification and Appearance
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
across the north and throughout the west ( map )
Diet and Behavior
Diet: host list
Life History
Nests in a hole in the ground or some other small cavity.
Additional species information
Species notes from the sources
Etymology: Megachile melanophaea Smith 1853
About Flies: the wider group
Order-level background for Hymenoptera, the group containing Megachile melanophaea. 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 melanophaea (2)
Photo credits: Contributed by Ted Kropiewnicki; Additional contributions by Beatriz Moisset , John S. Ascher , v belov , hg , PaleoJon
Frequently Asked Questions About Megachile melanophaea
How big is Megachile melanophaea?
♀ 12-14 mm, ♂ 9-12 mm
Where is Megachile melanophaea found?
Range: across the north and throughout the west ( map )
What does Megachile melanophaea eat?
The diet of the Megachile melanophaea includes host list.
What is the life cycle of a Megachile melanophaea?
Nests in a hole in the ground or some other small cavity.