Pseudomasaris zonalis
This record describes Pseudomasaris zonalis (species). Recorded family: Vespidae. Recorded order: Hymenoptera.
Identification and Appearance
| Feature | Details |
|---|---|
| Females | Color is black and sulphur-yellow (whitish in some forms, especially in the northeastern part of its range), frons with a pale spot above clypeus (may be missing in some specimens). P. zonalis can be recognized by humeri with an obtuse anterior ridge. Specimens where this ridge is weak may resemble marginalis The latter is more pubescent, and has a lamellate propodeum; if teeth are present, they're even shorter than in zonalis ). Though somewhat similar to P. edwardsii (also having humeri with an obtuse anterior ridge), female zonalis are lacking the 'bump' on mesotibia, characteristic for female edwardsii . P. zonalis can be separated from the larger P. coquilletti by humeri with an obtuse anterior ridge vs. rounded in coquilletti . Propodeal spines in zonalis usually shorter than in coquilletti and edwardsii ; the yellow of upper orbits is not produced toward ocelli. |
| Males | smaller than coquilletti , with mid-tibia anteriorly emarginate; antennal club better defined, and obviously wider than segment 7: see Richards (1963, 1966) |
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
Basically a mountain dweller, provided Phacelia flowers are present. Of 103 specimen examined by O.W. Richards (1963; see reference below), 47 were found at high altitudes (10,000 - 12,000 ft./ ~3000 - 3600 m), the remainder mostly from 6,000 ft.(~1800 m) or higher. At least one record exists from below 1,000 ft.(~300 m): Mitchell Canyon, Contra Costa County, CA; May 1961, on Phacelia nemoralis Greene.
Geographic Range
w NA (BC―CA to ID―CO)
Seasonal Activity
Mostly May to August, depending on altitude and flowering of food plants.
Diet and Behavior
Diet: Males feed on nectar of plants frequented by females. Females gather pollen and nectar to provision nest cells for offspring. Plants used: mostly Phacelia ( Boraginaceae , formerly in Hydrophyllaceae ).
Additional species information
Species notes from the sources
Etymology: Pseudomasaris zonalis (Cresson 1864)
About Flies: the wider group
Order-level background for Hymenoptera, the group containing Pseudomasaris zonalis. 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 zonalis (5)
Photo credits: Contributed by Hartmut Wisch; Additional contributions by Aaron Schusteff , v belov , Harsi S. Parker , Nathaniel Green
Frequently Asked Questions About Pseudomasaris zonalis
What is Pseudomasaris zonalis?
Pseudomasaris zonalis is a species in the family Vespidae, within the order Hymenoptera.
How do you identify Pseudomasaris zonalis?
| Feature | Details |
|---|---|
| Females | Color is black and sulphur-yellow (whitish in some forms, especially in the northeastern part of its range), frons with a pale spot above clypeus (may be missing in some specimens). P. zonalis can be recognized by humeri with an obtuse anterior ridge. Specimens where this ridge is weak may resemble marginalis The latter is more pubescent, and has a lamellate propodeum; if teeth are present, they're even shorter than in zonalis ). Though somewhat similar to P. edwardsii (also having humeri with an obtuse anterior ridge), female zonalis are lacking the 'bump' on mesotibia, characteristic for female edwardsii . P. zonalis can be separated from the larger P. coquilletti by humeri with an obtuse anterior ridge vs. rounded in coquilletti . Propodeal spines in zonalis usually shorter than in coquilletti and edwardsii ; the yellow of upper orbits is not produced toward ocelli. |
| Males | smaller than coquilletti , with mid-tibia anteriorly emarginate; antennal club better defined, and obviously wider than segment 7: see Richards (1963, 1966) |
Where is Pseudomasaris zonalis found?
| Feature | Details |
|---|---|
| Habitat | Basically a mountain dweller, provided Phacelia flowers are present. Of 103 specimen examined by O.W. Richards (1963; see reference below), 47 were found at high altitudes (10,000 - 12,000 ft./ ~3000 - 3600 m), the remainder mostly from 6,000 ft.(~1800 m) or higher. At least one record exists from below 1,000 ft.(~300 m): Mitchell Canyon, Contra Costa County, CA; May 1961, on Phacelia nemoralis Greene. |
| Range | w NA (BC―CA to ID―CO) |
What does Pseudomasaris zonalis eat?
The diet of the Pseudomasaris zonalis includes Males feed on nectar of plants frequented by females. Females gather pollen and nectar to provision nest cells for offspring. Plants used: mostly Phacelia ( Boraginaceae , formerly in Hydrophyllaceae )..
When is Pseudomasaris zonalis active?
Pseudomasaris zonalis: seasonal activity - Mostly May to August, depending on altitude and flowering of food plants..