Zethus miscogaster
This record describes Zethus miscogaster (species). Recorded family: Vespidae. Recorded order: Hymenoptera.
Identification and Appearance
Stem of second segment of metasoma longer than that of first
Classification
- Kingdom
- Animalia
- Phylum
- Arthropoda
- Class
- Insecta
- Order
- Hymenoptera (Ants, Bees, Wasps and Sawflies)
- Superfamily
- Vespoidea
- Family
- Vespidae
- Subfamily
- Eumeninae
- Genus
- Zethus
Imported taxonomy record. Source availability varies; see the source references and editorial policy below.
Habitat and Range
Geographic Range
From southern Texas (Hidalgo Co.) to Guatemala and El Salvador
About Flies: the wider group
Order-level background for Hymenoptera, the group containing Zethus miscogaster. 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 Zethus miscogaster (4)
Photo credits: Contributed by Matthias Buck
Frequently Asked Questions About Zethus miscogaster
What is Zethus miscogaster?
Zethus miscogaster is a species in the family Vespidae, within the order Hymenoptera.
How do you identify Zethus miscogaster?
Stem of second segment of metasoma longer than that of first
Where is Zethus miscogaster found?
Range: From southern Texas (Hidalgo Co.) to Guatemala and El Salvador