Aleiodes burrus
This record describes Aleiodes burrus (species). Recorded family: Braconidae. Recorded order: Hymenoptera.
Identification and Appearance
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.
Classification
- Kingdom
- Animalia
- Phylum
- Arthropoda
- Class
- Insecta
- Order
- Hymenoptera (Ants, Bees, Wasps and Sawflies)
- Superfamily
- Ichneumonoidea
- Family
- Braconidae (Braconid Wasps)
- Subfamily
- Rogadinae
- Genus
- Aleiodes (Common Mummy Wasps)
Imported taxonomy record. Source availability varies; see the source references and editorial policy below.
Habitat and Range
Geographic Range
Eastern Canada south to Virginia, and west to Alberta, Wyoming, and Arizona.
Diet and Behavior
Diet: A. burrus has been reared from noctuids Feltia subgothica (Haw.) and Agrotis species.
Additional species information
Species notes from the sources
Etymology: Latin word burrus means "red." Burricus means "small horse."
About Flies: the wider group
Order-level background for Hymenoptera, the group containing Aleiodes burrus. 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 Aleiodes burrus (5)
Photo credits: Contributed by v belov; Additional contributions by josephfortier
Frequently Asked Questions About Aleiodes burrus
What is Aleiodes burrus?
Aleiodes burrus is a species in the family Braconidae, within the order Hymenoptera.
How big is Aleiodes burrus?
6 - 8 mm
How do you identify Aleiodes burrus?
Females with soma generally completely orange; antennae orangish brown basally, brown to black apically. Males similar, but usually with mesosoma entirely or mostly black.
Where is Aleiodes burrus found?
Range: Eastern Canada south to Virginia, and west to Alberta, Wyoming, and Arizona.
What does Aleiodes burrus eat?
The diet of the Aleiodes burrus includes A. burrus has been reared from noctuids Feltia subgothica (Haw.) and Agrotis species..