Sphecodes ranunculi
This record describes Sphecodes ranunculi (species). Recorded family: Halictidae. Recorded order: Hymenoptera.
Identification and Appearance
Short first flagellar segment, long second segment. Slender body form. ( 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
Nova Scotia, to North Dakota, south to Kansas, east to North Carolina. Discover Life Map
Seasonal Activity
April to July
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 ranunculi Robertson, 1897
About Flies: the wider group
Order-level background for Hymenoptera, the group containing Sphecodes ranunculi. 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 ranunculi (5)
Photo credits: Contributed by tom murray; Additional contributions by Beatriz Moisset , hg , PaleoJon , Nathaniel Green
Frequently Asked Questions About Sphecodes ranunculi
What is Sphecodes ranunculi?
Sphecodes ranunculi is a species in the family Halictidae, within the order Hymenoptera.
How big is Sphecodes ranunculi?
| Feature | Details |
|---|---|
| Female | Length 7mm |
| Male | Length 8mm |
How do you identify Sphecodes ranunculi?
Short first flagellar segment, long second segment. Slender body form. ( Comment by John Ascher)
Where is Sphecodes ranunculi found?
Range: Nova Scotia, to North Dakota, south to Kansas, east to North Carolina. Discover Life Map
What does Sphecodes ranunculi eat?
The diet of the Sphecodes ranunculi 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 ranunculi active?
Sphecodes ranunculi: seasonal activity - April to July.