Stizoides renicinctus
This record describes Stizoides renicinctus (species). Recorded family: Crabronidae. Recorded order: Hymenoptera.
Identification and Appearance
Identification notes
♂ ♀
Classification
- Kingdom
- Animalia
- Phylum
- Arthropoda
- Class
- Insecta
- Order
- Hymenoptera (Ants, Bees, Wasps and Sawflies)
- Superfamily
- Trigonaloidea
- Family
- Crabronidae (Square-headed Wasps, Sand Wasps, and Allies)
- Subfamily
- Bembicinae
- Tribe
- Bembicini
- Genus
- Stizoides
Imported taxonomy record. Source availability varies; see the source references and editorial policy below.
Habitat and Range
Geographic Range
southern Canada to central Mexico
Diet and Behavior
Diet: S. renicinctus is known to parasitize Prionyx thomae , according to " Sphecid Wasps of the World ," by Bohart & Menke.
Life History
They are cleptoparasites of other solitary wasps, meaning that they lay an egg in the host nest and the larva that hatches consumes the provisions intended for the host larva. (Eric R. Eaton)
About Flies: the wider group
Order-level background for Hymenoptera, the group containing Stizoides renicinctus. 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 Stizoides renicinctus (5)
Photo credits: Contributed by tom murray; Additional contributions by Robert H. Biagi
Frequently Asked Questions About Stizoides renicinctus
How big is Stizoides renicinctus?
Body Length ≈20mm (BG images)
How do you identify Stizoides renicinctus?
♂ ♀
Where is Stizoides renicinctus found?
Range: southern Canada to central Mexico
What does Stizoides renicinctus eat?
The diet of the Stizoides renicinctus includes S. renicinctus is known to parasitize Prionyx thomae , according to Sphecid Wasps of the World , by Bohart & Menke..
What is the life cycle of a Stizoides renicinctus?
They are cleptoparasites of other solitary wasps, meaning that they lay an egg in the host nest and the larva that hatches consumes the provisions intended for the host larva. (Eric R. Eaton)