Pseudomasaris vespoides
This record describes Pseudomasaris vespoides (species). Recorded family: Vespidae. Recorded order: Hymenoptera.
Identification and Appearance
Males: Probably the most common species of Pseudomasaris .
Identification notes
Males:
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
Habitat
Mountainous areas
Geographic Range
w US (WA-CA to SD-NM) to Baja
Seasonal Activity
Apr-Aug
Diet and Behavior
Diet: Adults found on/near Penstemon spp., often on blue species. Adults feed on nectar, sometimes from plants other than Penstemon .
Life History
Univoltine.
About Flies: the wider group
Order-level background for Hymenoptera, the group containing Pseudomasaris vespoides. 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 vespoides (5)
Photo credits: Contributed by Beatriz Moisset; Additional contributions by Hartmut Wisch , Aaron Schusteff , v belov , Nathaniel Green
Frequently Asked Questions About Pseudomasaris vespoides
What is Pseudomasaris vespoides?
Pseudomasaris vespoides is a species in the family Vespidae, within the order Hymenoptera.
How do you identify Pseudomasaris vespoides?
Males:
Where is Pseudomasaris vespoides found?
| Feature | Details |
|---|---|
| Habitat | Mountainous areas |
| Range | w US (WA-CA to SD-NM) to Baja |
What does Pseudomasaris vespoides eat?
The diet of the Pseudomasaris vespoides includes Adults found on/near Penstemon spp., often on blue species. Adults feed on nectar, sometimes from plants other than Penstemon ..
When is Pseudomasaris vespoides active?
Pseudomasaris vespoides: seasonal activity - Apr-Aug.
What is the life cycle of a Pseudomasaris vespoides?
Univoltine.