Quebec Mummy Wasp
Aleiodes quebecensis
This record describes Aleiodes quebecensis (species). Recorded family: Braconidae. Recorded order: Hymenoptera.
Identification and Appearance
Body mostly honey-yellow or light brown Antenna black in basal half, light yellow or white medially, and often black apically hind tarsal segments bright yellow-white or white 45-55 short antennal segments Ocelli large, much larger than ocell-ocular space
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
Quebec to Florida; west to Oregon and British Columbia
Diet and Behavior
Diet: Larvae are internal parasitoids of noctuid moths (Owlet moths) in genus Acronicta.
Additional species information
Species notes from the sources
Etymology: Rogas quebecensis Provancher 1880
About Flies: the wider group
Order-level background for Hymenoptera, the group containing Aleiodes quebecensis. 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 Quebec Mummy Wasp (5)
Photo credits: Contributed by josephfortier; Additional contributions by PaleoJon
Frequently Asked Questions About Quebec Mummy Wasp
What is Quebec Mummy Wasp?
Quebec Mummy Wasp (Aleiodes quebecensis) is a species in the family Braconidae, within the order Hymenoptera.
How big is Quebec Mummy Wasp?
6-8 mm
How do you identify Quebec Mummy Wasp?
Body mostly honey-yellow or light brown Antenna black in basal half, light yellow or white medially, and often black apically hind tarsal segments bright yellow-white or white 45-55 short antennal segments Ocelli large, much larger than ocell-ocular space
Where is Quebec Mummy Wasp found?
Range: Quebec to Florida; west to Oregon and British Columbia
What does Quebec Mummy Wasp eat?
The diet of the Quebec Mummy Wasp includes Larvae are internal parasitoids of noctuid moths (Owlet moths) in genus Acronicta..