Psorthaspis mariae
This record describes Psorthaspis mariae (species). Recorded family: Pompilidae. Recorded order: Hymenoptera.
Identification and Appearance
See discussion under images. Historical notes. The author of this species is American entomologist Ezra Townsend Cresson (1838-1926). The wasp was no doubt named mariae in honor of his wife (married 1859), Mary Ann Ridings Cresson (1837-1909). Cresson has interesting family associations. His father was Warder Cresson (1798 – 1860) , first United States Consul to Jerusalem. Warder was something of a religious fanatic and in 1844 abandoned his family in the US to live in Jerusalem, starting a second family there.
Identification notes
See discussion under images.
Classification
- Kingdom
- Animalia
- Phylum
- Arthropoda
- Class
- Insecta
- Order
- Hymenoptera (Ants, Bees, Wasps and Sawflies)
- Superfamily
- Pompiloidea
- Family
- Pompilidae (Spider Wasps)
- Subfamily
- Pompilinae
- Tribe
- Aporini
- Genus
- Psorthaspis
Imported taxonomy record. Source availability varies; see the source references and editorial policy below.
Habitat and Range
Geographic Range
Eastern United States, especially Southeast. Type specimen is from Pennsylvania (Cresson, 1867). Guide images here are from New Jersey southward, west to Arkansas and Missouri.
Additional species information
Species notes from the sources
Etymology: No doubt named mariae in honor of Cresson's wife (married 1859), Mary Ann Ridings Cresson (1837-1909; gravesite ).
About Flies: the wider group
Order-level background for Hymenoptera, the group containing Psorthaspis mariae. 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 Psorthaspis mariae (5)
Photo credits: Contributed by Eric R. Eaton; Additional contributions by cotinis , hraney , Robert H. Biagi
Frequently Asked Questions About Psorthaspis mariae
What is Psorthaspis mariae?
Psorthaspis mariae is a species in the family Pompilidae, within the order Hymenoptera.
How big is Psorthaspis mariae?
Female: 14 mm length ( guide image )
How do you identify Psorthaspis mariae?
See discussion under images.
Where is Psorthaspis mariae found?
Range: Eastern United States, especially Southeast. Type specimen is from Pennsylvania (Cresson, 1867). Guide images here are from New Jersey southward, west to Arkansas and Missouri.