Perdita perpallida
This record describes Perdita perpallida (species). Recorded family: Andrenidae. Recorded order: Hymenoptera.
Identification and Appearance
Large variation in color in this species; piceous areas much reduced or entirely absent; ground color becoming pale yellow.
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
Alberta to Wisconsin. Discover Life Map .
Seasonal Activity
July
Diet and Behavior
Diet: A specialist on Petalostemon . 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: Author: Cockerell, 1901
About Flies: the wider group
Order-level background for Hymenoptera, the group containing Perdita perpallida. 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 perpallida (5)
Photo credits: Contributed by John S. Ascher; Additional contributions by Beatriz Moisset | Contributed by John S. Ascher; Additional contributions by Beatriz Moisset , hg , PaleoJon
Frequently Asked Questions About Perdita perpallida
What is Perdita perpallida?
Perdita perpallida is a species in the family Andrenidae, within the order Hymenoptera.
How big is Perdita perpallida?
| Feature | Details |
|---|---|
| Female | 6 mm. |
| Male | 5 mm. |
How do you identify Perdita perpallida?
Large variation in color in this species; piceous areas much reduced or entirely absent; ground color becoming pale yellow.
Where is Perdita perpallida found?
Range: Alberta to Wisconsin. Discover Life Map .
What does Perdita perpallida eat?
The diet of the Perdita perpallida includes A specialist on Petalostemon . The Hosts section on its Discover Life species page lists known floral associations based on specimen records and images..
When is Perdita perpallida active?
Perdita perpallida: seasonal activity - July.