Smooth-headed Mummy Wasp
Aleiodes politiceps
This record describes Aleiodes politiceps (species). Recorded family: Braconidae. Recorded order: Hymenoptera.
Identification and Appearance
Color pattern very distinctive: orange with black wings, the legs with black at the ends, a diagnostic pattern for this species. The color is brighter in the living specimens, but the pattern is the same as museum specimens. It is one of the larger Aleiodes species and one of only a few that can be reliably identified without a microscope. (Scott R. Shaw, pers. comm. to =v=, 12/09/09) Perhaps the most common Aleiodes species in the southern states
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
Low mixed vegetation, grassy meadows, and forest understories. The adults are nocturnally active and commonly attracted to lights
Geographic Range
VA to FL west to AR & TX; Costa Rica
Diet and Behavior
Diet: Hosts include noctuid larvae such as the green cutworm ( Anicla infecta ) and the armyworm moth ( Mythimna unipuncta )
About Flies: the wider group
Order-level background for Hymenoptera, the group containing Aleiodes politiceps. 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 Smooth-headed Mummy Wasp (2)
Photo credits: Contributed by v belov; Additional contributions by PaleoJon
Frequently Asked Questions About Smooth-headed Mummy Wasp
What is Smooth-headed Mummy Wasp?
Smooth-headed Mummy Wasp (Aleiodes politiceps) is a species in the family Braconidae, within the order Hymenoptera.
How do you identify Smooth-headed Mummy Wasp?
Color pattern very distinctive: orange with black wings, the legs with black at the ends, a diagnostic pattern for this species. The color is brighter in the living specimens, but the pattern is the same as museum specimens. It is one of the larger Aleiodes species and one of only a few that can be reliably identified without a microscope. (Scott R. Shaw, pers. comm. to =v=, 12/09/09)
Where is Smooth-headed Mummy Wasp found?
| Feature | Details |
|---|---|
| Habitat | Low mixed vegetation, grassy meadows, and forest understories. The adults are nocturnally active and commonly attracted to lights |
| Range | VA to FL west to AR & TX; Costa Rica |
What does Smooth-headed Mummy Wasp eat?
The diet of the Smooth-headed Mummy Wasp includes Hosts include noctuid larvae such as the green cutworm ( Anicla infecta ) and the armyworm moth ( Mythimna unipuncta ).