Flies

Order Hymenoptera

The Flies (Order Hymenoptera) includes 5,194 species across 102 families and 1,491 genera in our directory.

About Flies

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).

Economic Impact

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.

Ecological Role

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.

Families in Hymenoptera (102)

Species in Hymenoptera (5,194)

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(Immigrant) Pavement Ant

Tetramorium immigrans

Formicidae

Introduced from Europe. It is parasitized by another imported Myrmicine Anergates atratulus (also introduced).

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Abbot's Sawfly

Neodiprion abbotii

Diprionidae

Identification: Full-grown larvae have a brown to black head with a light spot on the frons and the thorax. Abdomens are pale green with 4 dark green to black lateral stripes.

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Aberrant Cellophane Bee

Colletes aberrans

Colletidae

Identification: "Note scutum with short, subappressed, thickened, and densely plumose (scale-like) hairs. Note also white hairs covering much of metasoma excepting the black bands. in N of range (thoracic) pile of this species becomes "almost ochra

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Abia aenea

Cimbicidae

Identification: Distinguished from other species in our area by the presence of an inner tooth on the tarsal claw, which is about as long as the outer tooth. First found in NY, I believe, and the first records I have for MD and VA are around 1965; sp

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Abia fasciata

Cimbicidae

Identification: Yellow on metathorax and T1, wings distinctly banded.

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Abia inflata

Cimbicidae

Identification: Yellow on metathorax and T1, wings not distinctly banded.

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Acanthochalcis nigricans

Chalcididae

Identification: There are dense patches of white hair on the sides of the abdomen (T5 & T6) that separate this species from Acanthochalcis unispinosa (lacks the hairs). Males are smaller, but still larger than most chalcids, and have a shorter flagel

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Acanthochalcis unispinosa

Chalcididae

Identification: There are only diverging strips of white hairs on T6 of the abdomen as opposed to the thick, spot-like patches found in A. nigricans . Males are larger and have a longer flagellum (1.5x head height).

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Acantholyda floridana 0

Acantholyda floridana

Pamphiliidae

Identification: Fore femora with base (up to 0.5) ferruginous. Coloration otherwise much as in A. ruficeps .

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Achaius oratorius

Ichneumonidae

This is a medium-sized species (11–15mm) and has a black body with white spots. The precise pattern of white around the inner margin of the eyes, the white bands on each pair of legs together with the white band on the first abdominal segment are dis

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Acorn Plum Gall Wasp

Amphibolips quercusjuglans

Cynipidae

Forms "large, globose, thick-walled, hard, mottled, brownish or reddish galls on the side of the acorn cup, easily detached and dropping to the ground in the fall, always on red oaks. . . Pink when fresh, becoming yellow and then blood-red, diameter

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Acroricnus stylator

Ichneumonidae

Identification: Overview of Subspecies Subspecies are separated as follows: 1. A. s. aequatus : Hind femur black, hind tibia entirely yellow. Propodeum, metapleurum, hind coxae, and scutellum either black or yellow. 2. A. s. edwardsii : Abdomen promi

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Agapostemon coloradinus 0

Agapostemon coloradinus

Halictidae

Identification: Along with A. tyleri , males lack yellow on the metasomal sterna. According to Roberts (1972) this is the rarest species of Agapostemon in the United States.

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Agapostemon femoratus

Halictidae

Identification: Males can be differentiated from many (not all) other species by the enlarged hind femora.

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Agapostemon poeyi

Halictidae

Identification: Males - Abdomen a mix of yellow, black, and metallic green (Unique among FL Agapostemon). Females - Tergites metallic green. Mandible with a metallic green spot basally. Mesoscutum rugose. May hybridize with P. viequesensis (Roberts,

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Agathis malvacearum

Braconidae

This species and its host are both native to Europe and were presumably introduced along with the moth's host plant, common burdock ( Arctium minus ).

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Ageniella accepta

Pompilidae

Identification: ♀ ♂ Like all Ageniellini, they sever the legs of their prey to accommodate transport: This photo shows either an aberrant A. accepta or (less likely) an undescribed species

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Agenioideus cinctellus

Pompilidae

Most solitary bees and wasps are difficult to identify, and can rarely be identified from photos taken in the field. All red-rated records should include a photo or set of photos of the specimen, illustrating the key characters taken from a standard

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Agonocryptus discoidaloides

Ichneumonidae

Identification: Black with prominent white abdominal bands and thoracic spots. The eyes are black with white rings. The black antennae are long with white bands in the median area. The legs are orange with the basitarsomere orange, subsequent tarsome

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Agrothereutes abbreviatus

Ichneumonidae

A brachypterous (short-winged) species having a basically reddish colour with a dark final third to the abdomen and a white tip. The hind femora are dark in the apical third and the hind tibia are white at the base. The head is black and the thorax m

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Aleiodes burrus

Braconidae

Identification: Females with soma generally completely orange; antennae orangish brown basally, brown to black apically. Males similar, but usually with mesosoma entirely or mostly black. Relatively common in the Nearctic within its range.

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Aleiodes graphicus

Braconidae

Identification: Superficially similar to A. politiceps . Wings black, body orange apart from dark mark around ocelli and the legs apically (more extensive than in A. politiceps ). Hind wing with RS vein strongly arched and sinuate. Collection in the

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Aleiodes kisomm

Braconidae

Identification: This species belongs within a sibling species-group of similarly colored species with deep, well developed carapaces (4th metasomal tergites) and small ocelli. A. kisomm can be distinguished from the others by its combination of rugoc

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Aleiodes medicinebowensis

Braconidae

Similar to Aleiodes burrus ; can be distinguished by shorter antennae and black labial palps.

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Aleiodes molestus

Braconidae

It parasitizes several pests among other caterpillars. Know caterpillar hosts are generalist feeders on low vegetation.

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Aleiodes praetor

Braconidae

A largely orange species with long antennae and dark end to the rear tibia. Mainly seen when attracted to light traps used by moth recorders. A parasitoid of Poplar Hawk-moths, Lime Hawk-moths and possibly Eyed Hawk-moths. Turns up occasionally in th

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Aleiodes scrutator

Braconidae

This is a species whose definition is still undergoing work. It is possible that some specimens that fall under the current species description are in fact members of various more or less closely related species, yet undescribed, in the Aleiodes cir

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Aleiodes similis

Braconidae

This small insect has orangey red thorax, abdomen and legs, with a darker band around the 'waist' area. There is also a yellowy orange wing stigma. Various habitats in search of host species. Parasitic on various moths. The first generation on low fe

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Alexeter nebulator

Ichneumonidae

This ichneumon is entirely orange in colour apart from the dark head and the darkened antennal tips. It has large eyes and ocelli to aid it in its nocturnal lifestyle. It sometimes turns up in light traps. The species is nocturnal and is a parasitoid

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Alfalfa Leaf-cutter Bee

Megachile rotundata

Megachilidae

Identification: Narrow white sternal hair bands. Introduced from the Old World sometime after the 1930s.

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Alkali Bee

Nomia melanderi

Halictidae

Nest is irregular, with 15-20 cells [ diagram ]; construction takes ~30 days. Used commercially as a pollinator of alfalfa.

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Allantus basalis

Tenthredinidae

Not too commonly found. Very close to A. nigritibialis , also on Rosa ; ovipositor needs to be examined to distinguish them.

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Allaporus pulchellus

Pompilidae

Identification: Typical aporine: Long pronotum with a straight rear margin, incrassate front femora, two submarginal cells in anterior wing, the second receiving two recurrent veins. -Can be recognized by small size, red markings on abdomen (some fro

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Allophrys divaricata

Ichneumonidae

Identification: Head for the greater part dark brown. Eyes of males very large. Thorax black, rarely lateral part of pronotum and mesopleurum tinged with brown. Gaster for the greater part black, petiole usually yellowish brown or brown, posterior pa

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Alomya debellator

Ichneumonidae

Medium sized (10–18mm) black wasp with broad orange bands on the abdomen and orange on the lower leg joints. In females the antenna is pale at the base and the hind tarsus is a dark reddish brown. Males have a darkly tipped third tibia and the abdome

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Alysson guignardi

Crabronidae

Identification: Dorsum of scape and lower inner eye margins yellow. Clypus black. See Ascher and Buck comments here .

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Alysson melleus

Crabronidae

Identification: The only species of Alysson in the northeast with red mesosoma. (Buck comment here )

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Alysson triangulifer

Crabronidae

Identification: Eastern A. triangulifer have the legs mostly red. (Buck comment here )

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Amber-marked Birch Leaf Miner

Profenusa thomsoni

Tenthredinidae

Introduced to NA early 1900s; spread westward, reached AB by 1970, reached Anchorage, AK ca. 1996

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Amblyjoppa proteus

Ichneumonidae

A large (20–25mm), mainly jet-black species with a small yellow/cream spot on the back of the thorax. This species has dusky borders to the tips of the wings. Males have white bands on the hind legs and entirely black antennae, females have entirely

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Amblyteles armatorius

Ichneumonidae

One of the many medium to large (15mm) black-and-yellow banded species. The spine on the top of the thorax together with a precise colour pattern on the abdomen in both sexes distinguishes them from the many other very similar species. Watch out for

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American Cuckoo Yellowjacket

Vespula infernalis

Vespidae

Identification: Key to eastern Nearctic Vespula species in the Identification Atlas of the Vespidae of the Northeastern Nearctic Region (as V. austriaca ). Key to Nearctic Vespinae genera in the Identification Atlas of the Vespidae of the Northeaster

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American Red-banded Yellowjacket

Vespula intermedia

Vespidae

Identification: Key to eastern Nearctic Vespula species in the Identification Atlas of the Vespidae of the Northeastern Nearctic Region . Key to Nearctic Vespinae genera in the Identification Atlas of the Vespidae of the Northeastern Nearctic Region

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American Yellowjacket

Vespula alascensis

Vespidae

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Ammophila formicoides

Sphecidae

Identification: An ant-mimicking species identified by its elongated pronotum, two submarginal cells, and dark wingtips. Often darker than the related and more widespread A. wrightii .

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Ammophila pictipennis

Sphecidae

Identification: A very conspicuous eastern species with brightly-pigmented orange wings and no silvery markings on the thorax whatsoever. In the west, see also A. placida , which is separated by the structure of the male genitalia. Those of A. pictip

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Ammophila placida

Sphecidae

Identification: A very conspicuous western species with brightly-pigmented orange wings and no silvery markings on the thorax whatsoever. In the east, see also A. pictipennis , which is separated by the structure of the male genitalia. Those of A. pl

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Ammophila wrightii

Sphecidae

Identification: An ant-mimicking species identified by its elongated pronotum, two or three submarginal cells, and entirely clear wings.

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Amphibolips cookii

Cynipidae

Forms spherical, spotted "oak apple" galls, 11-25 mm in diameter, protruding from buds of red oaks. They drop in September when full grown.

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Amphibolips ellipsoidalis

Cynipidae

Identification: A bud gall of early spring as new growth is starting. Spindle-shaped, blunt at both ends, up to 14 mm. long by 5 mm. in diameter, smooth, mottled with white when fresh, falling to ground when mature. Produced from weak lateral buds.

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Amphibolips fusus

Cynipidae

Identification: Induces elongate spindle-shaped galls on Quercus emoryi and hypoleucoides in the US, and on other oaks in Mexico. The galls are similar to those of Amphibolips nassa, which are found on the same host plants, but the tip is drawn out t

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Amphibolips quercusspongifica

Cynipidae

Felt describes Amphibolips confluenta as follows: "Globular, smooth, shining or opaque leaf gall, internally a juicy, white, spongy substance and a large central, larval cell, green, turning with age to light brown, diameter 1 1/4 to 2 inches, usuall

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Ampulex ferruginea

Ampulicidae

Identification: Readily distinguished from all other Ampulicidae in our area by the rusty-red head and thorax (these regions always black in the other 3 species).

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Anagyrus paralia

Encyrtidae

Identification: "It is a very characteristic species." (comment by Dr. Noyes 9.xx.2016)

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Anastatus semiflavidus

Eupelmidae

Reported as an egg parasitoid of coreid and pentatomid bugs as well as saturniid moths. [comment by Gary Gibson] Also parasitizes mantid egg cases. [comment by Ross Hill]

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Ancistrocerus adiabatus

Vespidae

Identification: It always has a full yellow stripe on metanotum, rather than two spots as in A. catskill . It is also distinctly more slender, with urotergite I almost as long as broad. (Richard Vernier, 30.vii.2010)

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Ancistrocerus bustamente

Vespidae

Identification: A member of the catskill -group and very similar to catskill except for sternum 2, which rises up vertically for a short distance at the base, forming a right angle with the remainder of the sternum. This is usually very difficult to

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Ancistrocerus campestris

Vespidae

Identification: per Dr. Matthias Buck, the "smiling face" on scutellum and metanotum combined with the shape of the apical band on tergite 1 makes A. campestris fairly distinctive. Ancistrocerus lutonidus is similar but the spots on the scutellum are

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Ancistrocerus capra

Vespidae

Identification: The strongly impressed notauli (paired lines or grooves on the mesoscutum that subdivide the sclerite into a median midlobe and lateral lobes) and the dark metanotum separate this species from other members of the genus.

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Ancistrocerus gazella

Vespidae

Ancistrocerus gazella has black and yellow markings typical of this family. Very similar in appearance to Ancistrocerus parietum and detailed examination is needed for a safe identification. See the ID Aid below. Unless identified by a recognised exp

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Ancistrocerus lineativentris

Vespidae

Identification: Similar to A. tuberculocephalus but lacking tubercle between ocelli.

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Ancistrocerus trifasciatus

Vespidae

This mason wasp has brown tarsi and a black face with yellow dot. There are other very similar species in this genus which means that detailed examination of an actual specimen is generally needed to identify the exact species. A red box around the i

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Ancylandrena atoposoma

Andrenidae

The species was originally named as a junior primary homonym of Andrena heterodoxa Pérez, 1903 (correct name is Andrena Bicolor ).

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Ancylandrena larreae

Andrenidae

Identification: Original description by Timberlake (1951) on pp. 411-413 as Megandrena (Ancylandrena) larreae Parasitized by Hexepeolus rhodogyne .(Rozen, 1992)

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Andrena auricoma

Andrenidae

Identification: Detail description is available at Discover Life .

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Andrena barbara

Andrenidae

Identification: Superficially resembles Andrena perplexa but lacks the pronotal angles of subgenus Tylandrena. Distinctive features include its entirely pale hairs (unlike carlini), relatively strongly and densely punctate metasomal terga which is sh

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Andrena bicolor

Andrenidae

This is a small solitary mining bee. The females are about 9 to 11 mm, and the males are slightly smaller. Females have back hairs on the face, gingery hairs on the top of the thorax and at the front of each side - the remainder has black hairs. The

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Andrena cerasifolii

Andrenidae

Identification: larger than most other Andrena in the western North America with a metallic blue integument; three submarginal cells whereas blue species of subgenus Diandrena have two. Detailed wing venation characters illustrate in post below:

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Andrena clarkella

Andrenidae

The female is a robust, medium sized mining bee. Fresh specimens are quite distinctive and with experience can be recognised in the field. Almost always found on willow (Salix) flowers in early spring. The face (clypeus) has dense black hairs across

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Andrena cleodora

Andrenidae

Identification: "The female of cleodora is similar to that of cupreotincta in the black scopae, black hairs of the head and abdomen, long apical tergal areas and coarse sculpture. The female of cleodora can be distinguished from that of cupreotincta

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Andrena crataegi

Andrenidae

Identification: Dark wings, recurved S6, relatively small head and narrow gena. Not closely related to any of the other Plastandrena of North America.

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Andrena distans

Andrenidae

Geranium maculatum , also on Heracleum lanatum and Polymonium reptans .

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Andrena dorsata

Andrenidae

Females are easily recognised by the broad hind tibiae with a very short dorsal hair fringe coupled with the largely glabrous abdomen bearing white hair fringes along the hind margin of tergites 2-4. Males resemble small slim females and can be disti

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Andrena dunningi

Andrenidae

Identification: thoracic hairs a brighter and darker orangish than in other similar species such as A. vicina. Metasomal terga are smooth and the vertex is relatively short (cf. the larger nivalis).

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Andrena erythrogaster

Andrenidae

Identification: Note that in the eastern USA many A. erythrogaster have largely dark metasomas with only limited areas of red. Mitchell (1960) treated called the darker form of A. erythrogaster subspecies subaustralis , but A. subaustralis is now kno

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Andrena humilis

Andrenidae

Length 10 to 12 mm. This species of solitary bee has a rather gingery, slightly hairy appearance. Most solitary bees and wasps are difficult to identify, and can rarely be identified from photos taken in the field. All red-rated records should includ

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Andrena integra

Andrenidae

Identification: very short and sparse thoracic hair

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Andrena labialis

Andrenidae

Forewing 7.5-9mm A dullish, fairly robust Andrena species. Females have buff hairs on the face and legs and a densely punctate thorax and tergites. Males have extensive yellow facial markings. Most solitary bees and wasps are difficult to identify, a

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Andrena malacothricidis

Andrenidae

Identification: Andrena malacothricidis Thorp, 1969 (see reference), is closely related to A. subchalybea (Please see the Discover Life site for the distinguishing characters). ID by Dr. Robbin Thorp (UC Davis), based on a female specimen.

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Andrena melliventris

Andrenidae

Identification: Yellow clypeus , broad dark basitarsis, metasoma red anterior and blackened posteriorly.

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Andrena minutula

Andrenidae

Length 5 to 7 mm. This is a small mainly black bee with sparse silvery grey hairs. Most solitary bees and wasps are difficult to identify, and can rarely be identified from photos taken in the field. All red-rated records should include a photo, or s

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Andrena miserabilis

Andrenidae

Identification: The female as a noteably smooth clypeus. The male has a yellow clypeus in combination with broad cheeks and pale lower surface of the flagellar segments.

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Andrena nasonii

Andrenidae

Identification: broadened tibia; strong hair bands on T2-4 but not T1 short F1 ( ref. )

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Andrena nigroaenea

Andrenidae

Females are the size of a Honey Bee with dense brown hairs on the thorax and slightly paler hairs covering all of abdominal tergites 1-4, which contrast with the darker, blackish hairs on tergite 5 (which is often dark under the hairs). The pollen br

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Andrena nitida

Andrenidae

Larger than a honeybee with bright, foxy-brown hair on the thorax and a polished black abdomen. Females have patches of white pubescence on the sides of abdominal segments 1 to 3, and males have copious white facial hair. May be found in a variety of

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Andrena ovatula

Andrenidae

Length 7 to 11 mm. This is a small, dark species of solitary mining bee. There are several similar species and detailed examination is necessary. The females are the easiest sex to identify. The hind margin of tergite 3 with a complete band in fresh

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Andrena pertristis

Andrenidae

Identification: Nominative subspecies Andrena (Melandrena) pertristis pertristis has entirely dark vestiture in females. Subspecies carliniformis has pale hair on thoracic dorsum, superficially resembling A. (Melandrena) carlini . Males of both subsp

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Andrena praecox

Andrenidae

Length 8 to 11 mm. This is a blackish bee with grey hairs. The female having more body hairs than the male. Most solitary bees and wasps are difficult to identify, and can rarely be identified from photos taken in the field. All red-rated records sho

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Andrena prunorum

Andrenidae

Identification: Variable in color across its range. The darkened wingtip is a helpful trait. Males often with the clypus yellow.

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Andrena regularis

Andrenidae

Identification: Female: Clypeus uniformly punctate, lacking median impunctate line (such a line conspicuous in carlini) and pygidial plate strongly narrowed (broader in carlini)

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Andrena rugosa

Andrenidae

Identification: Facial fovea of the female extremely narrow below and separated from the inner margin of the compound eye by more than twice the width of the fovea (at the level of the greatest separation from the eye). Coarse punctures of scutum.

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Andrena scotica

Andrenidae

Andrena scotica is a mining bee and at 10 to 14 mm is one of the larger species, the male being slightly smaller than the female. The abdomen is all dark with no red markings and with pale upright hairs along the tergite margins. Tergite 1 has clear

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Andrena sperryi

Andrenidae

Identification: Species description on Discover Life

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Andrena subopaca

Andrenidae

A very small and rather dark blackish bee. Most solitary bees and wasps are difficult to identify, and can rarely be identified from photos taken in the field. All red-rated records should include a photo, or set of photos, showing the key characters

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Andrena vicina

Andrenidae

Identification: Combination of relatively large size, black tibial scopa, all pale thoracic hairs (including ventral surfaces, unlike the otherwise similar A. carlini and A. regularis ), and all black metasoma is distinctive. The similar A. dunningi

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Andrena wilkella

Andrenidae

Introduced long ago from Europe, possibly from transportation of its ground nests in ships' ballast. It flies into summer, when few native Andrena are flying.

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Andricus amphorus

Feron amphorus

Cynipidae

Identification: This wasp induces urn shaped galls on leaves of Quercus arizonica, gambelli, grisea, oblongifolia, turbinella, and Quercus x undulata. The galls are red and yellow, and stand erect from the leaf. The side getting the most exposure to

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Andricus burnetti

Cynipidae

Identification: Larvae create golden, hairy polythalamous bud or petiole galls on Quercus palmeri (Palmer's oak) in California.

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Andricus caepula

Feron caepula

Cynipidae

Identification: This species induces vase shaped galls on Quercus turbinella and oblongifolia. The galls are reddish-yellow when young and turn brown with age, and are always covered by long, bristle-like hairs.

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Andricus callidoma

Cynipidae

The larvae of the gall wasp Andricus callidoma cause galls to form on Oak. The asexual gall emerges from an unopened bud. The stalk is 3 to 5 mm long and can be much longer, the gall itself is approximately 2 x 4 mm with a pointed tip. The sexual gal