Tent Caterpillar Mummy Wasp
Aleiodes malacosomatos
This record describes Aleiodes malacosomatos (species). Recorded family: Braconidae. Recorded order: Hymenoptera.
Identification and Appearance
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
Habitat
Trees where Malacosoma spp. are found.
Geographic Range
Widely distributed across northern N. America.
Seasonal Activity
Adults are commonly found in early spring, and also emerge from parasitized host mummies in June and July. . See comments, pp. 44-45, in .
Diet and Behavior
Diet: Larvae are internal parasites of larval tent caterpillars in genus Malacosoma .
Life History
koinobiont endoparasitoids.
Additional species information
Species notes from the sources
Etymology: The species-name is from the host genus that this Aleiodes species exclusively parasitizes, so far as known: Malacosoma sp. (tent caterpillars in the moth family Lasiocampidae).
About Flies: the wider group
Order-level background for Hymenoptera, the group containing Aleiodes malacosomatos. 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 Tent Caterpillar Mummy Wasp (5)
Photo credits: Contributed by josephfortier; Additional contributions by PaleoJon
Frequently Asked Questions About Tent Caterpillar Mummy Wasp
How big is Tent Caterpillar Mummy Wasp?
about 5 mm.
Where is Tent Caterpillar Mummy Wasp found?
| Feature | Details |
|---|---|
| Habitat | Trees where Malacosoma spp. are found. |
| Range | Widely distributed across northern N. America. |
What does Tent Caterpillar Mummy Wasp eat?
The diet of the Tent Caterpillar Mummy Wasp includes Larvae are internal parasites of larval tent caterpillars in genus Malacosoma ..
When is Tent Caterpillar Mummy Wasp active?
Tent Caterpillar Mummy Wasp: seasonal activity - Adults are commonly found in early spring, and also emerge from parasitized host mummies in June and July. . See comments, pp. 44-45, in ..
What is the life cycle of a Tent Caterpillar Mummy Wasp?
koinobiont endoparasitoids.