Triepeolus lunatus
This record describes Triepeolus lunatus (species). Recorded family: Apidae. Recorded order: Hymenoptera.
Identification and Appearance
Types: Holotype: Epeolus lunatus male and female Say 1825. Locality: Missouri. British Museum of Natural History – type lost. Lectotype: Epeolus lunatus concolor female by Robertson 1898, #8174. Locality Illinois July 24, 1888. In Illinois Natural History Survey; Webb 1980; Lectotype designation by W. E. LaBerge. Holotype as Triepeolus nautlanus male Cockerell 1904. #9705. Locality: Vera Cruz, Mexico. In U. S. National Museum of Natural History, Smithsonian. New synonymy. Photos. Michigan Museum of Natural History has 5 specimens.
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
Habitat
Forest edges and meadows.
Geographic Range
From Mexico to Canada, throughout the continent. Discover Life Map
Seasonal Activity
March to October in south; June to August in north.
Diet and Behavior
Diet: Visits flowers from several families. The Hosts section on its Discover Life species page lists known floral associations based on specimen records and images.
Life History
Larvae are parasites of Long-horned or Digger Bee Melissodes bimaculata .
About Flies: the wider group
Order-level background for Hymenoptera, the group containing Triepeolus lunatus. 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 lunatus (5)
Photo credits: Contributed by tom murray; Additional contributions by Beatriz Moisset , John S. Ascher , hg , lee_penner , PaleoJon
Frequently Asked Questions About Triepeolus lunatus
What is Triepeolus lunatus?
Triepeolus lunatus is a species in the family Apidae, within the order Hymenoptera.
How big is Triepeolus lunatus?
9-13 mm.
Where is Triepeolus lunatus found?
| Feature | Details |
|---|---|
| Habitat | Forest edges and meadows. |
| Range | From Mexico to Canada, throughout the continent. Discover Life Map |
What does Triepeolus lunatus eat?
The diet of the Triepeolus lunatus includes Visits flowers from several families. The Hosts section on its Discover Life species page lists known floral associations based on specimen records and images..
When is Triepeolus lunatus active?
Triepeolus lunatus: seasonal activity - March to October in south; June to August in north..
What is the life cycle of a Triepeolus lunatus?
Larvae are parasites of Long-horned or Digger Bee Melissodes bimaculata .