Timulla vagans
This record describes Timulla vagans (species). Recorded family: Mutillidae. Recorded order: Hymenoptera.
Identification and Appearance
Mickel describes subspecies vagans : This is the most widely distributed and abundant species of the genus Timulla in North America north of Mexico. The female has been confused with dubitata Smith in collections. The female may be recognized at once by the following combination of characters: sides of thorax distinctly emarginate medially, second tergite with a pair of anterior, more or less distinct, pale pubescent spots, and a distinct mesonotal-scutellar suture or groove just anterior to the scutellar scale. The male can be distinguished by the brush of white hairs on the scape beneath, the dark fuscous wings, and the sparse, black pubescence of the abdominal tergites. The females as well as the males vary a great deal in size; length of females varies from 6 to 14 mm; the males from 9 to 19 mm. The same source describes subspecies rufinota , found in Florida: Male. - Exactly like vagans except the pronotum and mesonotum entirely and the propodeum more or less, ferruginous. Length, 17 mm. Female. - Indistinguishable from vagans.
Wikipedia reference for Timulla vagans: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Timulla_vagans.
Classification
- Kingdom
- Animalia
- Phylum
- Arthropoda
- Class
- Insecta
- Order
- Hymenoptera (Ants, Bees, Wasps and Sawflies)
- Superfamily
- Pompiloidea
- Family
- Mutillidae (Velvet Ants)
- Subfamily
- Mutillinae
- Tribe
- Trogaspidiini
- Genus
- Timulla
Imported taxonomy record. Source availability varies; see the source references and editorial policy below.
Habitat and Range
Geographic Range
Eastern North America ; map for nominate subspecies:
Additional species information
Species notes from the sources
Etymology: Timulla vagans (Fabricius 1798)
About Flies: the wider group
Order-level background for Hymenoptera, the group containing Timulla vagans. 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 Timulla vagans (3)
Photo credits: Contributed by Hannah Nendick-Mason; Additional contributions by cotinis , v belov
Frequently Asked Questions About Timulla vagans
What is Timulla vagans?
Timulla vagans is a species in the family Mutillidae, within the order Hymenoptera.
How big is Timulla vagans?
| Feature | Details |
|---|---|
| Female | 6-14 mm |
| Male | 9-19 mm |
How do you identify Timulla vagans?
Mickel describes subspecies vagans : This is the most widely distributed and abundant species of the genus Timulla in North America north of Mexico. The female has been confused with dubitata Smith in collections. The female may be recognized at once by the following combination of characters: sides of thorax distinctly emarginate medially, second tergite with a pair of anterior, more or less distinct, pale pubescent spots, and a distinct mesonotal-scutellar suture or groove just anterior to the scutellar scale. The male can be distinguished by the brush of white hairs on the scape beneath, the dark fuscous wings, and the sparse, black pubescence of the abdominal tergites. The females as well as the males vary a great deal in size; length of females varies from 6 to 14 mm; the males from 9 to 19 mm. The same source describes subspecies rufinota , found in Florida: Male. - Exactly like vagans except the pronotum and mesonotum entirely and the propodeum more or less, ferruginous. Length, 17 mm. Female. - Indistinguishable from vagans.
Where is Timulla vagans found?
Range: Eastern North America ; map for nominate subspecies: