Sapyga quinquepunctata
This record describes Sapyga quinquepunctata (species). Recorded family: Sapygidae. Recorded order: Hymenoptera.
Identification and Appearance
The quinquepunctata part of the scientific name probably refers to the white spotting on the tergites. The species is sexually dimorphic the males being mainly black other than the white spots mentioned above, but the females have a broad red band across the abdomen. Found in a wide variety of open habitats: woodland and shrubland, lowland heaths, chalk quarries, coastal cliffs, gardens and cemeteries. Often found flying around the nest sites of its hosts. Univoltine. Males are found during May and June, and rarely in July. Females occur mainly during June, often during May and July, or more rarely in April and August. Cleptoparasitic on bees of the genus Osmia. The female enters the nest of the host and lays an egg on or near the egg of the host. On hatching, the first instar larva, which has large mandibles, eats the egg of the host. Later instars have smaller mandibles and feed on the stored food of the host. In the UK, it has a largely southern distribution, but occurs in scattered localities as far north as Yorkshire.
Wikipedia reference for Sapyga quinquepunctata: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Sapyga_quinquepunctata.
Classification
- Kingdom
- Animalia
- Phylum
- Arthropoda
- Class
- Insecta
- Order
- Hymenoptera
- Family
- Sapygidae
- Genus
- Sapyga
Imported taxonomy record. Source availability varies; see the source references and editorial policy below.
Habitat and Range
Habitat
Found in a wide variety of open habitats: woodland and shrubland, lowland heaths, chalk quarries, coastal cliffs, gardens and cemeteries. Often found flying around the nest sites of its hosts.
Seasonal Activity
Univoltine. Males are found during May and June, and rarely in July. Females occur mainly during June, often during May and July, or more rarely in April and August.
Diet and Behavior
Life History
Cleptoparasitic on bees of the genus Osmia. The female enters the nest of the host and lays an egg on or near the egg of the host. On hatching, the first instar larva, which has large mandibles, eats the egg of the host. Later instars have smaller mandibles and feed on the stored food of the host.
Additional species information
Recorded status
In the UK, it has a largely southern distribution, but occurs in scattered localities as far north as Yorkshire.
About Flies: the wider group
Order-level background for Hymenoptera, the group containing Sapyga quinquepunctata. 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 Sapyga quinquepunctata (3)
Frequently Asked Questions About Sapyga quinquepunctata
What is Sapyga quinquepunctata?
Sapyga quinquepunctata is a species in the family Sapygidae, within the order Hymenoptera.
Where is Sapyga quinquepunctata found?
Habitat: Found in a wide variety of open habitats: woodland and shrubland, lowland heaths, chalk quarries, coastal cliffs, gardens and cemeteries. Often found flying around the nest sites of its hosts.
When is Sapyga quinquepunctata active?
Sapyga quinquepunctata: seasonal activity - Univoltine. Males are found during May and June, and rarely in July. Females occur mainly during June, often during May and July, or more rarely in April and August..
What is the life cycle of a Sapyga quinquepunctata?
Cleptoparasitic on bees of the genus Osmia. The female enters the nest of the host and lays an egg on or near the egg of the host. On hatching, the first instar larva, which has large mandibles, eats the egg of the host. Later instars have smaller mandibles and feed on the stored food of the host.