Pseudomasaris texanus
This record describes Pseudomasaris texanus (species). Recorded family: Vespidae. Recorded order: Hymenoptera.
Identification and Appearance
see Males and females: apex of fore femur, and bases of mid and hind tibiae without yellow spots. Males: eyes separated at the narrowest by about one posterior ocellar diameter.
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
w TX
Seasonal Activity
Records: ♂♂ 9-29.iv, ♀♀ 10.iv-17.v; probably varies with flowering of food plants (prob. Phacelia ). [HW] Females were found on Ph. popei in Chisos Mts, TX
Additional species information
Species notes from the sources
Etymology: Pseudomasaris texanus (Cresson 1871)
About Flies: the wider group
Order-level background for Hymenoptera, the group containing Pseudomasaris texanus. 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 texanus (5)
Photo credits: Contributed by Hartmut Wisch; Additional contributions by v belov , Nathaniel Green
Frequently Asked Questions About Pseudomasaris texanus
What is Pseudomasaris texanus?
Pseudomasaris texanus is a species in the family Vespidae, within the order Hymenoptera.
How do you identify Pseudomasaris texanus?
see Males and females: apex of fore femur, and bases of mid and hind tibiae without yellow spots. Males: eyes separated at the narrowest by about one posterior ocellar diameter.
Where is Pseudomasaris texanus found?
Range: w TX
When is Pseudomasaris texanus active?
Pseudomasaris texanus: seasonal activity - Records: ♂♂ 9-29.iv, ♀♀ 10.iv-17.v; probably varies with flowering of food plants (prob. Phacelia ). [HW] Females were found on Ph. popei in Chisos Mts, TX.