Stenodynerus toas
This record describes Stenodynerus toas (species). Recorded family: Vespidae. Recorded order: Hymenoptera.
Identification and Appearance
For genus - row of pits under T1 margin For species group - presence of humeral carina Female: Lunate white mark on base of clypeus, white spots of base of mandible, hind margin of pronotum black, pair of spots on T2, apical rim of T2 equal width to ocellar diameter, red legs with white marks on tip of femur and base of tibia
Classification
- Kingdom
- Animalia
- Phylum
- Arthropoda
- Class
- Insecta
- Order
- Hymenoptera (Ants, Bees, Wasps and Sawflies)
- Superfamily
- Vespoidea
- Family
- Vespidae
- Subfamily
- Eumeninae
- Genus
- Stenodynerus
Imported taxonomy record. Source availability varies; see the source references and editorial policy below.
Habitat and Range
Habitat
Low to mid elevation deserts and grasslands
Geographic Range
NM - KS - WY - AZ + CA (near San Diego)
Seasonal Activity
Summer to fall
Diet and Behavior
Diet: Unknown
Additional species information
Species notes from the sources
Etymology: Stenodynerus toas (Cresson, 1868)
About Flies: the wider group
Order-level background for Hymenoptera, the group containing Stenodynerus toas. 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 Stenodynerus toas (5)
Photo credits: Contributed by Matthias Buck; Additional contributions by margarethe brummermann , Nathaniel Green , egordon88
Frequently Asked Questions About Stenodynerus toas
What is Stenodynerus toas?
Stenodynerus toas is a species in the family Vespidae, within the order Hymenoptera.
How do you identify Stenodynerus toas?
For genus - row of pits under T1 margin For species group - presence of humeral carina Female: Lunate white mark on base of clypeus, white spots of base of mandible, hind margin of pronotum black, pair of spots on T2, apical rim of T2 equal width to ocellar diameter, red legs with white marks on tip of femur and base of tibia
Where is Stenodynerus toas found?
| Feature | Details |
|---|---|
| Habitat | Low to mid elevation deserts and grasslands |
| Range | NM - KS - WY - AZ + CA (near San Diego) |
What does Stenodynerus toas eat?
The diet of the Stenodynerus toas includes Unknown.
When is Stenodynerus toas active?
Stenodynerus toas: seasonal activity - Summer to fall.