Aleiodes medicinebowensis
This record describes Aleiodes medicinebowensis (species). Recorded family: Braconidae. Recorded order: Hymenoptera.
Identification and Appearance
Similar to Aleiodes burrus ; can be distinguished by shorter antennae and black labial palps.
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
Medicine Bow National Forest, Wyoming, and Inchelium, Washington
Diet and Behavior
Diet: unknown
Additional species information
Species notes from the sources
Etymology: Aleiodes medicinebowensis Marsh and Shaw 2001. Type specimen was collected in the Medicine Bow National Forest in Wyoming.
About Flies: the wider group
Order-level background for Hymenoptera, the group containing Aleiodes medicinebowensis. 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 medicinebowensis (5)
Photo credits: Contributed by josephfortier
Frequently Asked Questions About Aleiodes medicinebowensis
What is Aleiodes medicinebowensis?
Aleiodes medicinebowensis is a species in the family Braconidae, within the order Hymenoptera.
How big is Aleiodes medicinebowensis?
7 mm
Where is Aleiodes medicinebowensis found?
Range: Medicine Bow National Forest, Wyoming, and Inchelium, Washington
What does Aleiodes medicinebowensis eat?
The diet of the Aleiodes medicinebowensis includes unknown.