Sphaeropthalma pinalea
This record describes Sphaeropthalma pinalea (species). Recorded family: Mutillidae. Recorded order: Hymenoptera.
Identification and Appearance
Male can be recognized by the stark contrast of the darker back half of abdomen and lighter reddish T2, long marginal cell, and the lack of a tooth on the underside of the mandible. The female isn't published and described yet... - Kevin Williams Member of Sphaeropthalma unicolor species-group along with S. angulifera, S. mendica, S. subtriangularis, [S. tetracuspis], and S. unicolor. - Pitts et al, 2010
Classification
- Kingdom
- Animalia
- Phylum
- Arthropoda
- Class
- Insecta
- Order
- Hymenoptera (Ants, Bees, Wasps and Sawflies)
- Superfamily
- Pompiloidea
- Family
- Mutillidae (Velvet Ants)
- Subfamily
- Sphaeropthalminae
- Tribe
- Sphaeropthalmini
- Genus
- Sphaeropthalma
Imported taxonomy record. Source availability varies; see the source references and editorial policy below.
Habitat and Range
Geographic Range
N. Dak. to Tex., Ariz.; Mexico (Coahuila, Durango). Source: Discover Life, Database of Hymenoptera in America north of Mexico, Family Mutillidae.
Seasonal Activity
July and August (n=3, iNaturalist observations and OSU Collection, all males)
Additional species information
Species notes from the sources
Etymology: Sphaeropthalma (Photopsis) pinalea Schuster
About Flies: the wider group
Order-level background for Hymenoptera, the group containing Sphaeropthalma pinalea. 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 Sphaeropthalma pinalea (2)
Photo credits: Contributed by Elliott Gordon
Frequently Asked Questions About Sphaeropthalma pinalea
What is Sphaeropthalma pinalea?
Sphaeropthalma pinalea is a species in the family Mutillidae, within the order Hymenoptera.
How big is Sphaeropthalma pinalea?
Male body length approx 10mm, as observed in situ by E. Gordon.
How do you identify Sphaeropthalma pinalea?
Male can be recognized by the stark contrast of the darker back half of abdomen and lighter reddish T2, long marginal cell, and the lack of a tooth on the underside of the mandible. The female isn't published and described yet... - Kevin Williams
Where is Sphaeropthalma pinalea found?
Range: N. Dak. to Tex., Ariz.; Mexico (Coahuila, Durango). Source: Discover Life, Database of Hymenoptera in America north of Mexico, Family Mutillidae.
When is Sphaeropthalma pinalea active?
Sphaeropthalma pinalea: seasonal activity - July and August (n=3, iNaturalist observations and OSU Collection, all males).