Perdita nasuta
This record describes Perdita nasuta (species). Recorded family: Andrenidae. Recorded order: Hymenoptera.
Identification and Appearance
shape of projecting male clypeus distinguishes this sp. from congeners
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
Habitat
Xeric habitats
Geographic Range
Primarily sw.US & adjacent Mexico [ map ]
Diet and Behavior
Diet: oligolege of Eriogonum spp.
Additional species information
Species notes from the sources
Etymology: Perdita nasuta Timberlake 1962
About Flies: the wider group
Order-level background for Hymenoptera, the group containing Perdita nasuta. 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 nasuta (4)
Photo credits: Contributed by Keng-Lou James Hung; Additional contributions by v belov
Frequently Asked Questions About Perdita nasuta
What is Perdita nasuta?
Perdita nasuta is a species in the family Andrenidae, within the order Hymenoptera.
How big is Perdita nasuta?
2‒3 mm
How do you identify Perdita nasuta?
shape of projecting male clypeus distinguishes this sp. from congeners
Where is Perdita nasuta found?
| Feature | Details |
|---|---|
| Habitat | Xeric habitats |
| Range | Primarily sw.US & adjacent Mexico [ map ] |
What does Perdita nasuta eat?
The diet of the Perdita nasuta includes oligolege of Eriogonum spp..