Agonocryptus discoidaloides
This record describes Agonocryptus discoidaloides (species). Recorded family: Ichneumonidae. Recorded order: Hymenoptera.
Identification and Appearance
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 tarsomeres white, and the claws black. The black ovipositor is about one half the length of the abdomen. ( 4 )
Classification
- Kingdom
- Animalia
- Phylum
- Arthropoda
- Class
- Insecta
- Order
- Hymenoptera (Ants, Bees, Wasps and Sawflies)
- Superfamily
- Ichneumonoidea
- Family
- Ichneumonidae (Ichneumonid Wasps)
- Subfamily
- Cryptinae
- Tribe
- Cryptini
- Genus
- Agonocryptus
Imported taxonomy record. Source availability varies; see the source references and editorial policy below.
Diet and Behavior
Diet: Agonocryptus is an ectoparasitoid of woodboring beetles.
Additional species information
Species notes from the sources
Etymology: Agonocryptus discoidaloides (Viereck 1905)
About Flies: the wider group
Order-level background for Hymenoptera, the group containing Agonocryptus discoidaloides. 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 Agonocryptus discoidaloides (5)
Photo credits: Contributed by Bob Carlson; Additional contributions by Robert Lord Zimlich , PaleoJon
Frequently Asked Questions About Agonocryptus discoidaloides
What is Agonocryptus discoidaloides?
Agonocryptus discoidaloides is a species in the family Ichneumonidae, within the order Hymenoptera.
How big is Agonocryptus discoidaloides?
Body length ≈ 9mm ( 3 ) Forewing of female 6.5-11.5 mm; forewing of male 5.3-8.4 mm ( 4 )
How do you identify Agonocryptus discoidaloides?
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 tarsomeres white, and the claws black. The black ovipositor is about one half the length of the abdomen. ( 4 )
What does Agonocryptus discoidaloides eat?
The diet of the Agonocryptus discoidaloides includes Agonocryptus is an ectoparasitoid of woodboring beetles..