Melissodes apicatus
This record describes Melissodes apicatus (species). Recorded family: Apidae. Recorded order: Hymenoptera.
Identification and Appearance
Apical hair bands and association with Pontederia
Classification
- Kingdom
- Animalia
- Phylum
- Arthropoda
- Class
- Insecta
- Order
- Hymenoptera (Ants, Bees, Wasps and Sawflies)
- Superfamily
- Trigonaloidea
- Family
- Apidae (Cuckoo, Carpenter, Digger, Bumble, and Honey Bees)
- Subfamily
- Apinae
- Tribe
- Eucerini
- Genus
- Melissodes
Imported taxonomy record. Source availability varies; see the source references and editorial policy below.
Habitat and Range
Habitat
near ponds and lagoons with Pickerelweed
Diet and Behavior
Diet: Oligolectic on Pontederia cordata
Additional species information
Species notes from the sources
Etymology: Specific epithet and subgeneric name both refer to the apical hair bands. Authors: Lovell and Cockerell, 1906
About Flies: the wider group
Order-level background for Hymenoptera, the group containing Melissodes apicatus. 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 Melissodes apicatus (5)
Photo credits: Contributed by John S. Ascher; Additional contributions by Beatriz Moisset , PaleoJon
Frequently Asked Questions About Melissodes apicatus
What is Melissodes apicatus?
Melissodes apicatus is a species in the family Apidae, within the order Hymenoptera.
How do you identify Melissodes apicatus?
Apical hair bands and association with Pontederia
Where is Melissodes apicatus found?
Habitat: near ponds and lagoons with Pickerelweed
What does Melissodes apicatus eat?
The diet of the Melissodes apicatus includes Oligolectic on Pontederia cordata.