Sphecodes mandibularis
This record describes Sphecodes mandibularis (species). Recorded family: Halictidae. Recorded order: Hymenoptera.
Identification and Appearance
Gibbs et. al., 2017 says Mitchell 1960 uses the name Sphecodes stygius for this species.
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
Nova Scotia to Minnesota, to New Mexico to Florida. Scattered records further west. 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 mandibularis Cresson, 1872
About Flies: the wider group
Order-level background for Hymenoptera, the group containing Sphecodes mandibularis. 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 mandibularis (5)
Photo credits: Contributed by tom murray; Additional contributions by hg , PaleoJon , bdagley , Nathaniel Green
Frequently Asked Questions About Sphecodes mandibularis
What is Sphecodes mandibularis?
Sphecodes mandibularis is a species in the family Halictidae, within the order Hymenoptera.
Where is Sphecodes mandibularis found?
Range: Nova Scotia to Minnesota, to New Mexico to Florida. Scattered records further west. Discover Life Map
What does Sphecodes mandibularis eat?
The diet of the Sphecodes mandibularis 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 mandibularis active?
Sphecodes mandibularis: seasonal activity - April to October.