Symmorphus canadensis
This record describes Symmorphus canadensis (species). Recorded family: Vespidae. Recorded order: Hymenoptera.
Identification and Appearance
Classification
- Kingdom
- Animalia
- Phylum
- Arthropoda
- Class
- Insecta
- Order
- Hymenoptera (Ants, Bees, Wasps and Sawflies)
- Superfamily
- Vespoidea
- Family
- Vespidae
- Subfamily
- Eumeninae
- Genus
- Symmorphus
Imported taxonomy record. Source availability varies; see the source references and editorial policy below.
Habitat and Range
Geographic Range
most of NA except arctic, high boreal, and desert regions
Diet and Behavior
Life History
Females are known to provision burrows with Leaf-miner larvae:
About Flies: the wider group
Order-level background for Hymenoptera, the group containing Symmorphus canadensis. 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 Symmorphus canadensis (5)
Photo credits: Contributed by Matthias Buck; Additional contributions by v belov , Robert H. Biagi
Frequently Asked Questions About Symmorphus canadensis
How big is Symmorphus canadensis?
Forewing: ♂ 5.0–6.8 mm, ♀ 4.5–7.3 mm
Where is Symmorphus canadensis found?
Range: most of NA except arctic, high boreal, and desert regions
What is the life cycle of a Symmorphus canadensis?
Females are known to provision burrows with Leaf-miner larvae: