Oxybelus cressonii
This record describes Oxybelus cressonii (species). Recorded family: Crabronidae. Recorded order: Hymenoptera.
Identification and Appearance
The female of this species is very distinctive because of its all-yellow antennae.
Classification
- Kingdom
- Animalia
- Phylum
- Arthropoda
- Class
- Insecta
- Order
- Hymenoptera (Ants, Bees, Wasps and Sawflies)
- Superfamily
- Trigonaloidea
- Family
- Crabronidae (Square-headed Wasps, Sand Wasps, and Allies)
- Subfamily
- Crabroninae
- Tribe
- Oxybelini
- Genus
- Oxybelus
Imported taxonomy record. Source availability varies; see the source references and editorial policy below.
Habitat and Range
Geographic Range
Centr. U. S., Utah, and Tex., east to Va., north to Mich. and southern Ontario.
Diet and Behavior
Life History
Makes unicellular nest in sand, stores 10-15 prey per cell. Prey are Diptera.
About Flies: the wider group
Order-level background for Hymenoptera, the group containing Oxybelus cressonii. 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.
Frequently Asked Questions About Oxybelus cressonii
What is Oxybelus cressonii?
Oxybelus cressonii is a species in the family Crabronidae, within the order Hymenoptera.
How do you identify Oxybelus cressonii?
The female of this species is very distinctive because of its all-yellow antennae.
Where is Oxybelus cressonii found?
Range: Centr. U. S., Utah, and Tex., east to Va., north to Mich. and southern Ontario.
What is the life cycle of a Oxybelus cressonii?
Makes unicellular nest in sand, stores 10-15 prey per cell. Prey are Diptera.