Triepeolus remigatus
This record describes Triepeolus remigatus (species). Recorded family: Apidae. Recorded order: Hymenoptera.
Identification and Appearance
Types: Holotype Melecta remigata Fabricius 1804: 387 [Carolina] [Type lost?]. Holotype Epeolus superbus female by Provancher 1895. #1734 Locality: Los Angeles, California. In Université Laval, Quebec, Collection of Provancher. Holotype Epeolus texanus var. nigripes male by Cockerell, 1898, #18966 and #534858. Locality: New Mexico on Aug 14, 1898. In U. S. National Museum of Natural History, Smithsonian. Photos Recorded on Gaillardia, Senecio, Cucurbita . The Hosts section on its Discover Life species page lists known floral associations based on specimen records and images.
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
Southern Ontario to Mexico, scattered across the US Discover Life Map
Seasonal Activity
May to September in southern U.S. June to Sep in north.
Diet and Behavior
Diet: Cleptoparasite of the squash bee Peponapis pruinosa ( source ) Also: Dieunomia (Dieunomia) heteropoda (Say) and Xenoglossa strenua (Cresson) (Discover Life)
About Flies: the wider group
Order-level background for Hymenoptera, the group containing Triepeolus remigatus. 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 remigatus (2)
Photo credits: Contributed by John S. Ascher; Additional contributions by Beatriz Moisset , hg , lee_penner , PaleoJon
Frequently Asked Questions About Triepeolus remigatus
What is Triepeolus remigatus?
Triepeolus remigatus is a species in the family Apidae, within the order Hymenoptera.
How big is Triepeolus remigatus?
12 to 14 mm long.
Where is Triepeolus remigatus found?
| Feature | Details |
|---|---|
| Habitat | Forest edges and meadows. |
| Range | Southern Ontario to Mexico, scattered across the US Discover Life Map |
What does Triepeolus remigatus eat?
The diet of the Triepeolus remigatus includes Cleptoparasite of the squash bee Peponapis pruinosa ( source ) Also: Dieunomia (Dieunomia) heteropoda (Say) and Xenoglossa strenua (Cresson) (Discover Life).
When is Triepeolus remigatus active?
Triepeolus remigatus: seasonal activity - May to September in southern U.S. June to Sep in north..