Prionyx thomae
This record describes Prionyx thomae (species). Recorded family: Sphecidae. Recorded order: Hymenoptera.
Identification and Appearance
Female with maxillary palp longer than labial palp, which may be obsolescent. Silvery band of pubescence on the mesopleuron; less silvery in the similar P. parkeri and P. thomae :
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
across the US (MA-MT-CO) to Brazil; W.Indies
Additional species information
Species notes from the sources
Etymology: Prionyx thomae (Fabricius 1775)
About Flies: the wider group
Order-level background for Hymenoptera, the group containing Prionyx thomae. 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 thomae (3)
Photo credits: Contributed by Matthias Buck; Additional contributions by v belov , PaleoJon
Frequently Asked Questions About Prionyx thomae
What is Prionyx thomae?
Prionyx thomae is a species in the family Sphecidae, within the order Hymenoptera.
How do you identify Prionyx thomae?
Female with maxillary palp longer than labial palp, which may be obsolescent. Silvery band of pubescence on the mesopleuron; less silvery in the similar P. parkeri and P. thomae :
Where is Prionyx thomae found?
Range: across the US (MA-MT-CO) to Brazil; W.Indies