Megachile montivaga
This record describes Megachile montivaga (species). Recorded family: Megachilidae. Recorded order: Hymenoptera.
Identification and Appearance
It collects petals, rather than leaves, for nest building.
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
California to Nova Scotia, south to Mexico, Illinois and North Carolina. Discover Life Map .
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: Cresson, 1878. Common name refers to its habit of constructing nests with petals rather than leaves.
About Flies: the wider group
Order-level background for Hymenoptera, the group containing Megachile montivaga. 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 montivaga (5)
Photo credits: Contributed by Eric R. Eaton; Additional contributions by Beatriz Moisset , John S. Ascher , hg , PaleoJon
Frequently Asked Questions About Megachile montivaga
What is Megachile montivaga?
Megachile montivaga is a species in the family Megachilidae, within the order Hymenoptera.
How big is Megachile montivaga?
| Feature | Details |
|---|---|
| Female | 11-13 mm. |
| Male | 9-11 mm. |
Where is Megachile montivaga found?
Range: California to Nova Scotia, south to Mexico, Illinois and North Carolina. Discover Life Map .
What does Megachile montivaga eat?
The diet of the Megachile montivaga includes The Hosts section on its Discover Life species page lists known associations based on specimen records and images..
When is Megachile montivaga active?
Megachile montivaga: seasonal activity - June to September..