Pseudomasaris basirufus
This record describes Pseudomasaris basirufus (species). Recorded family: Vespidae. Recorded order: Hymenoptera.
Identification and Appearance
Characteristic markings on clypeus but not on frons ( vs white spot on both frons & clypeus in P. maculifrons ) Males are more easily told apart by their antennae, and most reliably by the distance between the eyes on the vertex: nearly three ocellar diameters in P. basirufus , little more than one ocellar diameter in P. maculifrons .
Classification
- Kingdom
- Animalia
- Phylum
- Arthropoda
- Class
- Insecta
- Order
- Hymenoptera (Ants, Bees, Wasps and Sawflies)
- Superfamily
- Vespoidea
- Family
- Vespidae
- Subfamily
- Masarinae
- Genus
- Pseudomasaris
Imported taxonomy record. Source availability varies; see the source references and editorial policy below.
Habitat and Range
Geographic Range
CA―NV―AZ
Diet and Behavior
Diet: Adults associated with flowers of Phaceila sp. (e.g. P. calthifolia )
Additional species information
Species notes from the sources
Etymology: Pseudomasaris basirufus Rohwer 1912
About Flies: the wider group
Order-level background for Hymenoptera, the group containing Pseudomasaris basirufus. 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 Pseudomasaris basirufus (5)
Photo credits: Contributed by Hartmut Wisch; Additional contributions by Aaron Schusteff , v belov , Nathaniel Green
Frequently Asked Questions About Pseudomasaris basirufus
What is Pseudomasaris basirufus?
Pseudomasaris basirufus is a species in the family Vespidae, within the order Hymenoptera.
How do you identify Pseudomasaris basirufus?
Characteristic markings on clypeus but not on frons ( vs white spot on both frons & clypeus in P. maculifrons ) Males are more easily told apart by their antennae, and most reliably by the distance between the eyes on the vertex: nearly three ocellar diameters in P. basirufus , little more than one ocellar diameter in P. maculifrons .
Where is Pseudomasaris basirufus found?
Range: CA―NV―AZ
What does Pseudomasaris basirufus eat?
The diet of the Pseudomasaris basirufus includes Adults associated with flowers of Phaceila sp. (e.g. P. calthifolia ).