Triepeolus concavus
This record describes Triepeolus concavus (species). Recorded family: Apidae. Recorded order: Hymenoptera.
Identification and Appearance
Identification notes
Large, S6 of female concave
Classification
- Kingdom
- Animalia
- Phylum
- Arthropoda
- Class
- Insecta
- Order
- Hymenoptera (Ants, Bees, Wasps and Sawflies)
- Superfamily
- Trigonaloidea
- Family
- Apidae (Cuckoo, Carpenter, Digger, Bumble, and Honey Bees)
- Subfamily
- Nomadinae
- Tribe
- Epeolini
- Genus
- Triepeolus
Imported taxonomy record. Source availability varies; see the source references and editorial policy below.
Habitat and Range
Geographic Range
USA: Alabama, Arizona, Arkansas, California (the Central Valley, and extending further south into San Bernardino Co. and Riverside Co.), Colorado, Florida, Georgia, Idaho, Illinois, Indiana, Kansas, Louisiana, Michigan, Minnesota, Mississippi, Missouri, New Mexico, North Carolina, Oklahoma, Texas, Utah, Washington, Washington D.C., Wisconsin. Discover Life Map
Seasonal Activity
June to October
Diet and Behavior
Diet: Recorded on Helianthus, Verbena, Asteraceae . The Hosts section on its Discover Life species page lists known floral associations based on specimen records and images. Often found on sunflowers, a preferred floral host of its host bee
Life History
Cleptoparasite of Svastra obliqua (multiple subspecies)
Additional species information
Species notes from the sources
Etymology: Author: Cresson, 1878
About Flies: the wider group
Order-level background for Hymenoptera, the group containing Triepeolus concavus. 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 Triepeolus concavus (2)
Photo credits: Contributed by John S. Ascher; Additional contributions by Beatriz Moisset , hg , PaleoJon
Frequently Asked Questions About Triepeolus concavus
How big is Triepeolus concavus?
10-16 mm
How do you identify Triepeolus concavus?
Large, S6 of female concave
Where is Triepeolus concavus found?
Range: USA: Alabama, Arizona, Arkansas, California (the Central Valley, and extending further south into San Bernardino Co. and Riverside Co.), Colorado, Florida, Georgia, Idaho, Illinois, Indiana, Kansas, Louisiana, Michigan, Minnesota, Mississippi, Missouri, New Mexico, North Carolina, Oklahoma, Texas, Utah, Washington, Washington D.C., Wisconsin. Discover Life Map
What does Triepeolus concavus eat?
The diet of the Triepeolus concavus includes Recorded on Helianthus, Verbena, Asteraceae . The Hosts section on its Discover Life species page lists known floral associations based on specimen records and images. Often found on sunflowers, a preferred floral host of its host bee.
When is Triepeolus concavus active?
Triepeolus concavus: seasonal activity - June to October.
What is the life cycle of a Triepeolus concavus?
Cleptoparasite of Svastra obliqua (multiple subspecies)