Trypoxylon texense
This record describes Trypoxylon texense (species). Recorded family: Crabronidae. Recorded order: Hymenoptera.
Identification and Appearance
This species is rather distinctive for the combination of its bright golden pubescence and reddish basal (4-6) antennal segments. The ground color of the body is black, with orange to reddish markings on the antennae (as above), mandibles, palps, tibiae, tarsi, and the second (occasionally also first) gastral segment. Dense, golden pubescence covers the face, posterior margin of the pronotum, the edges of the scutum, and posterior angles of the propodeum.
Classification
- Kingdom
- Animalia
- Phylum
- Arthropoda
- Class
- Insecta
- Order
- Hymenoptera (Ants, Bees, Wasps and Sawflies)
- Superfamily
- Trigonaloidea
- Family
- Crabronidae (Square-headed Wasps, Sand Wasps, and Allies)
- Subfamily
- Crabroninae
- Tribe
- Trypoxylini
- Genus
- Trypoxylon
Imported taxonomy record. Source availability varies; see the source references and editorial policy below.
Habitat and Range
Geographic Range
central and southern US: west to NM and east to FL (also occurs in northeastern Mexico and Jamaica)
Seasonal Activity
April to October
Diet and Behavior
Diet: Nests are provisioned with spiders from the families Oxyopidae, Araneidae, Tetragnathidae, Thomsidae, and Salticidae. Each cell may contain between 8-25 prey (15 on average).
Life History
T. texense repurpose existing nests with rather little selectivity. They are known to nest in abandoned mud nests, such as those of Sceliphron caementarium , or abandoned burrows, such as those of Tachysphex apicalis , Melitoma grisella , and Anthophora occidentalis . Following oviposition, the cells are sealed with either a single or double plug of mud. Males frequently guard the nest while the female is away, such as when hunting for nest provisions.
Additional species information
Species notes from the sources
Etymology: Trypoxylon (Trypargilum) texense Saussure, 1867
About Flies: the wider group
Order-level background for Hymenoptera, the group containing Trypoxylon texense. 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 Trypoxylon texense (2)
Photo credits: Contributed by Jonathan Hoskins
Frequently Asked Questions About Trypoxylon texense
What is Trypoxylon texense?
Trypoxylon texense is a species in the family Crabronidae, within the order Hymenoptera.
How do you identify Trypoxylon texense?
This species is rather distinctive for the combination of its bright golden pubescence and reddish basal (4-6) antennal segments. The ground color of the body is black, with orange to reddish markings on the antennae (as above), mandibles, palps, tibiae, tarsi, and the second (occasionally also first) gastral segment. Dense, golden pubescence covers the face, posterior margin of the pronotum, the edges of the scutum, and posterior angles of the propodeum.
Where is Trypoxylon texense found?
Range: central and southern US: west to NM and east to FL (also occurs in northeastern Mexico and Jamaica)
What does Trypoxylon texense eat?
The diet of the Trypoxylon texense includes Nests are provisioned with spiders from the families Oxyopidae, Araneidae, Tetragnathidae, Thomsidae, and Salticidae. Each cell may contain between 8-25 prey (15 on average)..
When is Trypoxylon texense active?
Trypoxylon texense: seasonal activity - April to October.
What is the life cycle of a Trypoxylon texense?
T. texense repurpose existing nests with rather little selectivity. They are known to nest in abandoned mud nests, such as those of Sceliphron caementarium , or abandoned burrows, such as those of Tachysphex apicalis , Melitoma grisella , and Anthophora occidentalis . Following oviposition, the cells are sealed with either a single or double plug of mud. Males frequently guard the nest while the female is away, such as when hunting for nest provisions.