Triepeolus pectoralis
This record describes Triepeolus pectoralis (species). Recorded family: Apidae. Recorded order: Hymenoptera.
Identification and Appearance
Types: Holotype Epeolus pectoralis female Sept 18, 1893 by Robertson, 1897. #15626. Locality: Illinois. In Illinois Natural History Survey. Webb 1980; Lectotype designated by LaBerge. Lectotype Triepeolus pectoralis male by Robertson, 1897. Locality: New York, Aug 26, 1936. In Illinois Natural History Survey. Holotype Epeolus virginiensis male by Cockerell, 1907. #40107. Locality: Virginia, Sept. 7, 1907. In United States National Museum, Smithsonian. Photos Holotype Epeolus oswegoensis male by Mitchell, 1962. #75202. Locality: New York, Aug 26, 1936 by Krombein. In United States National Museum, Smithsonian. Photos.
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
Minnesota to the New England states, south to Georgia. Southern Canada to New Brunswick. Discover Life Map
Seasonal Activity
August to November
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
HOST-This species has been collected at nesting sites of Melissodes rustica , now Melissodes druriella .
Additional species information
Species notes from the sources
Etymology: Author: (Robertson, 1897)
About Flies: the wider group
Order-level background for Hymenoptera, the group containing Triepeolus pectoralis. 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 pectoralis (5)
Photo credits: Contributed by John S. Ascher; Additional contributions by hg , lee_penner , PaleoJon
Frequently Asked Questions About Triepeolus pectoralis
What is Triepeolus pectoralis?
Triepeolus pectoralis is a species in the family Apidae, within the order Hymenoptera.
How big is Triepeolus pectoralis?
8 to 11 mm long.
Where is Triepeolus pectoralis found?
| Feature | Details |
|---|---|
| Habitat | Forest edges and meadows. |
| Range | Minnesota to the New England states, south to Georgia. Southern Canada to New Brunswick. Discover Life Map |
What does Triepeolus pectoralis eat?
The diet of the Triepeolus pectoralis 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 pectoralis active?
Triepeolus pectoralis: seasonal activity - August to November.
What is the life cycle of a Triepeolus pectoralis?
HOST-This species has been collected at nesting sites of Melissodes rustica , now Melissodes druriella .