Prionyx atratus
This record describes Prionyx atratus (species). Recorded family: Sphecidae. Recorded order: Hymenoptera.
Identification and Appearance
| Feature | Details |
|---|---|
| Female | Wings dark brown/purple; Clypus with gold/silver appressed hairs; Clypus erect hairs black; scutum dull, shagreened; scutellum dull. |
| Male | Same as above plus - Abdomen black; Scutellum dull; Antennal segment 6 with flat area extending whole length. ( 3 ) |
Classification
- Kingdom
- Animalia
- Phylum
- Arthropoda
- Class
- Insecta
- Order
- Hymenoptera (Ants, Bees, Wasps and Sawflies)
- Superfamily
- Trigonaloidea
- Family
- Sphecidae (Thread-waisted Wasps)
- Subfamily
- Sphecinae
- Tribe
- Prionychini
- Genus
- Prionyx
Imported taxonomy record. Source availability varies; see the source references and editorial policy below.
Habitat and Range
Geographic Range
Widespread in North America ( 4 )
Seasonal Activity
June to October
Additional species information
Species notes from the sources
Etymology: Prionyx atratus (Lepeletier de Saint Fargeau, 1845)
About Flies: the wider group
Order-level background for Hymenoptera, the group containing Prionyx atratus. 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 Prionyx atratus (5)
Photo credits: Contributed by tom murray; Additional contributions by Beatriz Moisset , Robert H. Biagi , Nathaniel Green
Frequently Asked Questions About Prionyx atratus
What is Prionyx atratus?
Prionyx atratus is a species in the family Sphecidae, within the order Hymenoptera.
How do you identify Prionyx atratus?
| Feature | Details |
|---|---|
| Female | Wings dark brown/purple; Clypus with gold/silver appressed hairs; Clypus erect hairs black; scutum dull, shagreened; scutellum dull. |
| Male | Same as above plus - Abdomen black; Scutellum dull; Antennal segment 6 with flat area extending whole length. ( 3 ) |
Where is Prionyx atratus found?
Range: Widespread in North America ( 4 )
When is Prionyx atratus active?
Prionyx atratus: seasonal activity - June to October.