Tachytes pennsylvanicus
This record describes Tachytes pennsylvanicus (species). Recorded family: Crabronidae. Recorded order: Hymenoptera.
Identification and Appearance
Most members of the pepticus species group are very difficult to identify to species, from an image alone. (both genders) Some females of the pepticus species group are not identifiable to species, without dissection or DNA verification Darker eyes than T. sayi on both genders (images of pinned specimens) See the web-links, below. Hind femora without patches of long hairs on the ventral side Mandibles dark Wings clear to slightly darkened Body all-black in both genders Legs all-black (with some silvery or golden pubescence) Abdomen without much silvery pubescence sub-apically Scutum without much reflective pubescence to almost none ♀ Hind tibia of females has mostly slender spines, pygidial plate coppery to dark coppery overall (not graded with a silvery base) ♂ Apical antennae segments of males are not unusually enlarged, pygidial plate bright silvery
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
- Crabroninae
- Tribe
- Larrini
- Genus
- Tachytes
Imported taxonomy record. Source availability varies; see the source references and editorial policy below.
Habitat and Range
Geographic Range
eastern U.S. west to Texas, Nebraska, Montana may be more widespread in Canada (BOLD Systems, DNA verified specimens)
About Flies: the wider group
Order-level background for Hymenoptera, the group containing Tachytes pennsylvanicus. 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 Tachytes pennsylvanicus (4)
Photo credits: Contributed by Bob Biagi
Frequently Asked Questions About Tachytes pennsylvanicus
What is Tachytes pennsylvanicus?
Tachytes pennsylvanicus is a species in the family Crabronidae, within the order Hymenoptera.
How big is Tachytes pennsylvanicus?
♂ smaller ♀ about 15mm (pinned specimens)
How do you identify Tachytes pennsylvanicus?
Most members of the pepticus species group are very difficult to identify to species, from an image alone. (both genders) Some females of the pepticus species group are not identifiable to species, without dissection or DNA verification Darker eyes than T. sayi on both genders (images of pinned specimens) See the web-links, below. Hind femora without patches of long hairs on the ventral side Mandibles dark Wings clear to slightly darkened Body all-black in both genders Legs all-black (with some silvery or golden pubescence) Abdomen without much silvery pubescence sub-apically Scutum without much reflective pubescence to almost none ♀ Hind tibia of females has mostly slender spines, pygidial plate coppery to dark coppery overall (not graded with a silvery base) ♂ Apical antennae segments of males are not unusually enlarged, pygidial plate bright silvery
Where is Tachytes pennsylvanicus found?
Range: eastern U.S. west to Texas, Nebraska, Montana may be more widespread in Canada (BOLD Systems, DNA verified specimens)