Acordulecera dorsalis species complex
Acordulecera dorsalis
This record describes Acordulecera dorsalis (species). Recorded family: Pergidae. Recorded order: Hymenoptera.
Identification and Appearance
Classification
- Kingdom
- Animalia
- Phylum
- Arthropoda
- Class
- Insecta
- Order
- Hymenoptera (Ants, Bees, Wasps and Sawflies)
- Family
- Pergidae (Pergid Sawflies)
- Genus
- Acordulecera
Imported taxonomy record. Source availability varies; see the source references and editorial policy below.
Habitat and Range
Geographic Range
se. Canada (QC-ON) & e. US (ME-NE-CO to FL-TX) to Mexico
Diet and Behavior
Diet: Hosts: Fagaceae ( Castanea, Quercus ), Juglandaceae ( Carya, Juglans )
Life History
Larvae sit flat on the ventral surface of the leaf and raise the abdomen when disturbed; larvae enter ground after final moult
Additional species information
Species notes from the sources
Etymology: Acordulecera dorsalis Say 1836
About Flies: the wider group
Order-level background for Hymenoptera, the group containing Acordulecera dorsalis. 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 Acordulecera dorsalis species complex (5)
Photo credits: Contributed by tom murray; Additional contributions by v belov
Frequently Asked Questions About Acordulecera dorsalis species complex
Where is Acordulecera dorsalis species complex found?
Range: se. Canada (QC-ON) & e. US (ME-NE-CO to FL-TX) to Mexico
What does Acordulecera dorsalis species complex eat?
The diet of the Acordulecera dorsalis species complex includes Hosts: Fagaceae ( Castanea, Quercus ), Juglandaceae ( Carya, Juglans ).
What is the life cycle of a Acordulecera dorsalis species complex?
Larvae sit flat on the ventral surface of the leaf and raise the abdomen when disturbed; larvae enter ground after final moult