Stizus brevipennis
This record describes Stizus brevipennis (species). Recorded family: Crabronidae. Recorded order: Hymenoptera.
Identification and Appearance
This species looks superficially quite like Sphecius speciosus (the eastern cicada-killer wasp), but the abdominal banding is much less ornate. These markings lack a hooked structure and are overall broader and smoother. The scutellum and postscutellum are also marked in yellow, unlike in S. speciosus . Stizus brevipennis (left) versus Sphecius speciosus (right)
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
- Stizus
Imported taxonomy record. Source availability varies; see the source references and editorial policy below.
Habitat and Range
Geographic Range
eastern US to Texas
Diet and Behavior
Diet: Adults visit flowers, larvae are provisioned with katydids.
About Flies: the wider group
Order-level background for Hymenoptera, the group containing Stizus brevipennis. 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 Stizus brevipennis (5)
Photo credits: Contributed by Beatriz Moisset; Additional contributions by John S. Ascher , James C. Trager , PaleoJon
Frequently Asked Questions About Stizus brevipennis
What is Stizus brevipennis?
Stizus brevipennis is a species in the family Crabronidae, within the order Hymenoptera.
How big is Stizus brevipennis?
About 30mm
How do you identify Stizus brevipennis?
This species looks superficially quite like Sphecius speciosus (the eastern cicada-killer wasp), but the abdominal banding is much less ornate. These markings lack a hooked structure and are overall broader and smoother. The scutellum and postscutellum are also marked in yellow, unlike in S. speciosus . Stizus brevipennis (left) versus Sphecius speciosus (right)
Where is Stizus brevipennis found?
Range: eastern US to Texas
What does Stizus brevipennis eat?
The diet of the Stizus brevipennis includes Adults visit flowers, larvae are provisioned with katydids..