Tepanec Long-horned Bee
Melissodes tepaneca
This record describes Melissodes tepaneca (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
e. US to AZ / Mex. to Panama - Map (Discover Life)
Seasonal Activity
March to November in the United States
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: Melissodes tepaneca Cresson 1878
About Flies: the wider group
Order-level background for Hymenoptera, the group containing Melissodes tepaneca. 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 Tepanec Long-horned Bee (5)
Photo credits: Contributed by John S. Ascher; Additional contributions by Beatriz Moisset , Mike Quinn , hg
Frequently Asked Questions About Tepanec Long-horned Bee
How big is Tepanec Long-horned Bee?
| Feature | Details |
|---|---|
| Female | 12-13 mm. |
| Male | 9.5-11 mm |
Where is Tepanec Long-horned Bee found?
Range: e. US to AZ / Mex. to Panama - Map (Discover Life)
What does Tepanec Long-horned Bee eat?
The diet of the Tepanec Long-horned Bee includes The Hosts section on its Discover Life species page lists known associations based on specimen records and images..
When is Tepanec Long-horned Bee active?
Tepanec Long-horned Bee: seasonal activity - March to November in the United States.