Stelis costalis
This record describes Stelis costalis (species). Recorded family: Megachilidae. Recorded order: Hymenoptera.
Identification and Appearance
Very similar to S. louisae , and there is much potential for confusion where this species overlaps (unfortunately potential overlap is not well known at this point).
Classification
- Kingdom
- Animalia
- Phylum
- Arthropoda
- Class
- Insecta
- Order
- Hymenoptera (Ants, Bees, Wasps and Sawflies)
- Superfamily
- Trigonaloidea
- Family
- Megachilidae (Leafcutter, Mason, and Resin Bees, and allies)
- Subfamily
- Megachilinae
- Tribe
- Anthidiini
- Genus
- Stelis
Imported taxonomy record. Source availability varies; see the source references and editorial policy below.
Habitat and Range
Geographic Range
Known from Texas including NE Texas and Mexico. Discover Life Map
Diet and Behavior
Diet: Recorded on Antigonon leptopus . 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: Author: Cresson, 1872 ( Dolichostelis costalis )
About Flies: the wider group
Order-level background for Hymenoptera, the group containing Stelis costalis. 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 Stelis costalis (5)
Photo credits: Contributed by Beatriz Moisset; Additional contributions by John S. Ascher , hg , PaleoJon
Frequently Asked Questions About Stelis costalis
What is Stelis costalis?
Stelis costalis is a species in the family Megachilidae, within the order Hymenoptera.
Where is Stelis costalis found?
Range: Known from Texas including NE Texas and Mexico. Discover Life Map
What does Stelis costalis eat?
The diet of the Stelis costalis includes Recorded on Antigonon leptopus . The Hosts section on its Discover Life species page lists known floral associations based on specimen records and images..