Melissodes illatus
This record describes Melissodes illatus (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
Habitat
includes meadows
Geographic Range
Prince Edward Island west to Alberta in Canada, from New England and the North-Central states south to Illinois and in mountains to North Carolina Discover Life Global map More northern than some other similar species.
Seasonal Activity
late summer to autumn
Diet and Behavior
Diet: Asteraceae. The Hosts section on its Discover Life species page lists known floral associations based on specimen records and images
Additional species information
Species notes from the sources
Etymology: Authors: Lovell & Cockerell Described from New England and most common there and in adjacent areas of Canada and the North-Central states
About Flies: the wider group
Order-level background for Hymenoptera, the group containing Melissodes illatus. 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 illatus (5)
Photo credits: Contributed by Ted Kropiewnicki; Additional contributions by John S. Ascher , ceiseman , hg , PaleoJon
Frequently Asked Questions About Melissodes illatus
Where is Melissodes illatus found?
| Feature | Details |
|---|---|
| Habitat | includes meadows |
| Range | Prince Edward Island west to Alberta in Canada, from New England and the North-Central states south to Illinois and in mountains to North Carolina Discover Life Global map More northern than some other similar species. |
What does Melissodes illatus eat?
The diet of the Melissodes illatus includes Asteraceae. The Hosts section on its Discover Life species page lists known floral associations based on specimen records and images.
When is Melissodes illatus active?
Melissodes illatus: seasonal activity - late summer to autumn.