Perdita ericameriae
This record describes Perdita ericameriae (species). Recorded family: Andrenidae. Recorded order: Hymenoptera.
Identification and Appearance
Classification
- Kingdom
- Animalia
- Phylum
- Arthropoda
- Class
- Insecta
- Order
- Hymenoptera (Ants, Bees, Wasps and Sawflies)
- Superfamily
- Trigonaloidea
- Family
- Andrenidae (Miner, Fairy, Allied Panurgine, and Oxaeine Bees)
- Subfamily
- Panurginae
- Tribe
- Perditini
- Genus
- Perdita (Fairy Bees)
Imported taxonomy record. Source availability varies; see the source references and editorial policy below.
Habitat and Range
Geographic Range
Southern California (Los Angeles and Riverside Counties). Discover Life Map .
Seasonal Activity
Late summer to Fall, based on flowering period of plant species visited.
Diet and Behavior
Diet: Females visit Ericameria (some formerly in genus Haplopappus , and Aplopappus ), Gutierrezia californica , and Lepidospartum squamatum . The Hosts section on its Discover Life species page lists known floral associations based on specimen records and images.
About Flies: the wider group
Order-level background for Hymenoptera, the group containing Perdita ericameriae. 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 Perdita ericameriae (2)
Photo credits: Contributed by Hartmut Wisch; Additional contributions by hg
Frequently Asked Questions About Perdita ericameriae
Where is Perdita ericameriae found?
Range: Southern California (Los Angeles and Riverside Counties). Discover Life Map .
What does Perdita ericameriae eat?
The diet of the Perdita ericameriae includes Females visit Ericameria (some formerly in genus Haplopappus , and Aplopappus ), Gutierrezia californica , and Lepidospartum squamatum . The Hosts section on its Discover Life species page lists known floral associations based on specimen records and images..
When is Perdita ericameriae active?
Perdita ericameriae: seasonal activity - Late summer to Fall, based on flowering period of plant species visited..