Zacosmia maculata
This record describes Zacosmia maculata (species). Recorded family: Apidae. Recorded order: Hymenoptera.
Identification and Appearance
Diagnostic characters include: fusiform (tapered at both ends, with median segments thickened) male flagellum; the marginal cell is ~ half as long as the distance from cell apex to wing tip. Cleptoparasite of Anthophora (Heliophila) , in a manner similar to other Melectini. Females break into the hosts' closed cells, and posit their eggs on the cell cap or upper cell wall. They subsequently reclose the cell with secretion-moistened earth. (from Michener )
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
- Apinae
- Tribe
- Melectini
- Genus
- Zacosmia
Imported taxonomy record. Source availability varies; see the source references and editorial policy below.
Habitat and Range
Geographic Range
From southern Alberta, Canada, and WA, USA, south to Mexico (Baja California, Chihuahua, Durango) Discover Life Map
Diet and Behavior
Diet: The Hosts section on its Discover Life species page lists known associations based on specimen records and images.
Additional species information
Species notes from the sources
Etymology: Zacosmia maculata (Cresson, 1879)
About Flies: the wider group
Order-level background for Hymenoptera, the group containing Zacosmia maculata. 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 Zacosmia maculata (5)
Photo credits: Contributed by Hartmut Wisch; Additional contributions by John S. Ascher , hg , PaleoJon
Frequently Asked Questions About Zacosmia maculata
What is Zacosmia maculata?
Zacosmia maculata is a species in the family Apidae, within the order Hymenoptera.
How big is Zacosmia maculata?
smallest Melectini, 5-9 mm in body length. (Michener. 2000. )
How do you identify Zacosmia maculata?
Diagnostic characters include: fusiform (tapered at both ends, with median segments thickened) male flagellum; the marginal cell is ~ half as long as the distance from cell apex to wing tip.
Where is Zacosmia maculata found?
Range: From southern Alberta, Canada, and WA, USA, south to Mexico (Baja California, Chihuahua, Durango) Discover Life Map
What does Zacosmia maculata eat?
The diet of the Zacosmia maculata includes The Hosts section on its Discover Life species page lists known associations based on specimen records and images..