Pseudomethoca propinqua
This record describes Pseudomethoca propinqua (species). Recorded family: Mutillidae. Recorded order: Hymenoptera.
Identification and Appearance
male: dorsum of thorax black, vertex and apical margins of the abdominal segments golden, wings dark; female similarly colored
Classification
- Kingdom
- Animalia
- Phylum
- Arthropoda
- Class
- Insecta
- Order
- Hymenoptera (Ants, Bees, Wasps and Sawflies)
- Superfamily
- Pompiloidea
- Family
- Mutillidae (Velvet Ants)
- Subfamily
- Sphaeropthalminae
- Tribe
- Pseudomethocini
- Genus
- Pseudomethoca
Imported taxonomy record. Source availability varies; see the source references and editorial policy below.
Habitat and Range
Geographic Range
MN-TX west to AB-CA + BC[Cite:1022554]
Additional species information
Species notes from the sources
Etymology: Pseudomethoca propinqua (Cresson 1865)
About Flies: the wider group
Order-level background for Hymenoptera, the group containing Pseudomethoca propinqua. 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 Pseudomethoca propinqua (5)
Photo credits: Contributed by Hannah Nendick-Mason; Additional contributions by Robin McLeod , v belov
Frequently Asked Questions About Pseudomethoca propinqua
What is Pseudomethoca propinqua?
Pseudomethoca propinqua is a species in the family Mutillidae, within the order Hymenoptera.
How big is Pseudomethoca propinqua?
♂ 8-12 mm, ♀ 9 mm
How do you identify Pseudomethoca propinqua?
male: dorsum of thorax black, vertex and apical margins of the abdominal segments golden, wings dark; female similarly colored
Where is Pseudomethoca propinqua found?
Range: MN-TX west to AB-CA + BC[Cite:1022554]