Sphex flavovestitus
This record describes Sphex flavovestitus (species). Recorded family: Sphecidae. Recorded order: Hymenoptera.
Identification and Appearance
can be identified by black body, orange tibiae and tarsi, and strong golden pubescence (including on lateral areas of scutum): Sphex nudus also has tan legs but thorax dark without golden lateral marks on scutum, pubescence lighter-colored: Sphex habenus female also has a dark body with golden pubescence but legs dark
Classification
- Kingdom
- Animalia
- Phylum
- Arthropoda
- Class
- Insecta
- Order
- Hymenoptera (Ants, Bees, Wasps and Sawflies)
- Superfamily
- Trigonaloidea
- Family
- Sphecidae (Thread-waisted Wasps)
- Subfamily
- Sphecinae
- Tribe
- Sphecini
- Genus
- Sphex
Imported taxonomy record. Source availability varies; see the source references and editorial policy below.
Habitat and Range
Geographic Range
se US (VA-FL-TX) & Mexico ( 3 ) ( 4 )
Additional species information
Species notes from the sources
Etymology: Sphex flavovestitus F. Smith 1856
About Flies: the wider group
Order-level background for Hymenoptera, the group containing Sphex flavovestitus. 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 Sphex flavovestitus (5)
Photo credits: Contributed by Eric R. Eaton; Additional contributions by cotinis , Matthias Buck , margarethe brummermann , v belov , KenW , PaleoJon , bdagley
Frequently Asked Questions About Sphex flavovestitus
What is Sphex flavovestitus?
Sphex flavovestitus is a species in the family Sphecidae, within the order Hymenoptera.
How do you identify Sphex flavovestitus?
can be identified by black body, orange tibiae and tarsi, and strong golden pubescence (including on lateral areas of scutum): Sphex nudus also has tan legs but thorax dark without golden lateral marks on scutum, pubescence lighter-colored: Sphex habenus female also has a dark body with golden pubescence but legs dark
Where is Sphex flavovestitus found?
Range: se US (VA-FL-TX) & Mexico ( 3 ) ( 4 )