Philanthus nasalis
This record describes Philanthus nasalis (species). Recorded family: Crabronidae. Recorded order: Hymenoptera.
Identification and Appearance
Identification notes
see
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
- Philanthinae
- Tribe
- Philanthini
- Genus
- Philanthus (Beewolves)
Imported taxonomy record. Source availability varies; see the source references and editorial policy below.
Habitat and Range
Habitat
Sandy areas
Geographic Range
Believed extirpated from the type locality (Antioch Dunes, Contra Costa Co., CA). The only other known population is in the Zayante Sandhills of Santa Cruz Co., CA.
Seasonal Activity
Late summer to fall
Diet and Behavior
Diet: Adults nectar on flowers (e.g. Eriogonum )
Additional species information
Species notes from the sources
Etymology: Philanthus nasalis Bohart 1972
About Flies: the wider group
Order-level background for Hymenoptera, the group containing Philanthus nasalis. 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 Philanthus nasalis (5)
Photo credits: Contributed by Aaron Schusteff; Additional contributions by v belov
Frequently Asked Questions About Philanthus nasalis
How big is Philanthus nasalis?
♂ 8 mm, ♀ 11.5 mm
How do you identify Philanthus nasalis?
see
Where is Philanthus nasalis found?
| Feature | Details |
|---|---|
| Habitat | Sandy areas |
| Range | Believed extirpated from the type locality (Antioch Dunes, Contra Costa Co., CA). The only other known population is in the Zayante Sandhills of Santa Cruz Co., CA. |
What does Philanthus nasalis eat?
The diet of the Philanthus nasalis includes Adults nectar on flowers (e.g. Eriogonum ).
When is Philanthus nasalis active?
Philanthus nasalis: seasonal activity - Late summer to fall.