Sphecodes davisii
This record describes Sphecodes davisii (species). Recorded family: Halictidae. Recorded order: Hymenoptera.
Identification and Appearance
One of the larger species, with dense white hairs on the clypeus , a red metasoma with black tip (vs. black in males of many other species), and a rugose scutum anteriorly (comment by John Ascher).
Classification
- Kingdom
- Animalia
- Phylum
- Arthropoda
- Class
- Insecta
- Order
- Hymenoptera (Ants, Bees, Wasps and Sawflies)
- Superfamily
- Trigonaloidea
- Family
- Halictidae (Sweat, Furrow, Nomiine, and Short-faced Bees)
- Subfamily
- Halictinae
- Tribe
- Halictini
- Genus
- Sphecodes (Blood Bees)
Imported taxonomy record. Source availability varies; see the source references and editorial policy below.
Habitat and Range
Geographic Range
Wyoming to southern Ontario, east to Nova Scotia, south to North Carolina. Discover Life Map
Seasonal Activity
April to October
Diet and Behavior
Diet: Visits flowers from several families. The Hosts section on its Discover Life species page lists known floral associations based on specimen records and images.
Additional species information
Species notes from the sources
Etymology: Sphecodes davisii Robertson, 1897
About Flies: the wider group
Order-level background for Hymenoptera, the group containing Sphecodes davisii. 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 Sphecodes davisii (5)
Photo credits: Contributed by Beatriz Moisset; Additional contributions by John S. Ascher , hg , PaleoJon , Nathaniel Green
Frequently Asked Questions About Sphecodes davisii
What is Sphecodes davisii?
Sphecodes davisii is a species in the family Halictidae, within the order Hymenoptera.
How big is Sphecodes davisii?
Male: Length 8mm
How do you identify Sphecodes davisii?
One of the larger species, with dense white hairs on the clypeus , a red metasoma with black tip (vs. black in males of many other species), and a rugose scutum anteriorly (comment by John Ascher).
Where is Sphecodes davisii found?
Range: Wyoming to southern Ontario, east to Nova Scotia, south to North Carolina. Discover Life Map
What does Sphecodes davisii eat?
The diet of the Sphecodes davisii includes Visits flowers from several families. The Hosts section on its Discover Life species page lists known floral associations based on specimen records and images..
When is Sphecodes davisii active?
Sphecodes davisii: seasonal activity - April to October.