Acanthochalcis unispinosa
This record describes Acanthochalcis unispinosa (species). Recorded family: Chalcididae. Recorded order: Hymenoptera.
Identification and Appearance
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).
Classification
- Kingdom
- Animalia
- Phylum
- Arthropoda
- Class
- Insecta
- Order
- Hymenoptera (Ants, Bees, Wasps and Sawflies)
- Superfamily
- Chalcidoidea
- Family
- Chalcididae (Chalcidid Wasps)
- Subfamily
- Cratocentrinae
- Genus
- Acanthochalcis
Imported taxonomy record. Source availability varies; see the source references and editorial policy below.
Habitat and Range
Geographic Range
TX-AZ
Diet and Behavior
Life History
Larvae are associated with Quercus lobata (valley oak)
Additional species information
Species notes from the sources
Etymology: Acanthochalcis unispinosa Girault 1917
About Flies: the wider group
Order-level background for Hymenoptera, the group containing Acanthochalcis unispinosa. 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 Acanthochalcis unispinosa (5)
Photo credits: Contributed by Will Chatfield-Taylor; Additional contributions by v belov , PaleoJon
Frequently Asked Questions About Acanthochalcis unispinosa
What is Acanthochalcis unispinosa?
Acanthochalcis unispinosa is a species in the family Chalcididae, within the order Hymenoptera.
How do you identify Acanthochalcis unispinosa?
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).
Where is Acanthochalcis unispinosa found?
Range: TX-AZ
What is the life cycle of a Acanthochalcis unispinosa?
Larvae are associated with Quercus lobata (valley oak)