Melissodes desponsus
This record describes Melissodes desponsus (species). Recorded family: Apidae. Recorded order: Hymenoptera.
Identification and Appearance
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
Geographic Range
Discover Life Global map . North Dakota to Nova Scotia, South to Oklahoma, Alabama and North Carolina.
Seasonal Activity
Adults: June to October.
Diet and Behavior
Diet: Includes Cirsium . 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: Smith, 1854.
About Flies: the wider group
Order-level background for Hymenoptera, the group containing Melissodes desponsus. 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 desponsus (5)
Photo credits: Contributed by Beatriz Moisset; Additional contributions by Ted Kropiewnicki , John S. Ascher , ceiseman , hg , PaleoJon
Frequently Asked Questions About Melissodes desponsus
How big is Melissodes desponsus?
Female 12-13.5 mm. Male 11-13.5 mm.
Where is Melissodes desponsus found?
Range: Discover Life Global map . North Dakota to Nova Scotia, South to Oklahoma, Alabama and North Carolina.
What does Melissodes desponsus eat?
The diet of the Melissodes desponsus includes Includes Cirsium . The Hosts section on its Discover Life species page lists known associations based on specimen records and images..
When is Melissodes desponsus active?
Melissodes desponsus: seasonal activity - Adults: June to October..