Saint Hyacinth Mummy Wasp
Aleiodes sanctihyacinthi
This record describes Aleiodes sanctihyacinthi (species). Recorded family: Braconidae. Recorded order: Hymenoptera.
Identification and Appearance
Body orange and black, eye posteriorly margined with orange, 46-48 antennal segments, top of head with rough sculpturing , fourth metasomal tergite with fine granular sculpture.
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
Forests especially where its host, the fall webworm ( Hyphantria cunea ) occurs
Geographic Range
Northeastern Nearctic, Wisconsin, Wyoming, Utah.
Seasonal Activity
Adults emerge in late summer early fall
Diet and Behavior
Diet: Apparently monophagous on fall webworm.
Life History
It is thought that adults overwinter and may attack an alternate host upon emergence in the spring, but so far this is not known.
Additional species information
Species notes from the sources
Etymology: Aleiodes sanctihyacinthi (Provancher 1880)
About Flies: the wider group
Order-level background for Hymenoptera, the group containing Aleiodes sanctihyacinthi. 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.
Frequently Asked Questions About Saint Hyacinth Mummy Wasp
What is Saint Hyacinth Mummy Wasp?
Saint Hyacinth Mummy Wasp (Aleiodes sanctihyacinthi) is a species in the family Braconidae, within the order Hymenoptera.
How big is Saint Hyacinth Mummy Wasp?
4.5-5.5 mm
How do you identify Saint Hyacinth Mummy Wasp?
Body orange and black, eye posteriorly margined with orange, 46-48 antennal segments, top of head with rough sculpturing , fourth metasomal tergite with fine granular sculpture.
Where is Saint Hyacinth Mummy Wasp found?
| Feature | Details |
|---|---|
| Habitat | Forests especially where its host, the fall webworm ( Hyphantria cunea ) occurs |
| Range | Northeastern Nearctic, Wisconsin, Wyoming, Utah. |
What does Saint Hyacinth Mummy Wasp eat?
The diet of the Saint Hyacinth Mummy Wasp includes Apparently monophagous on fall webworm..
When is Saint Hyacinth Mummy Wasp active?
Saint Hyacinth Mummy Wasp: seasonal activity - Adults emerge in late summer early fall.
What is the life cycle of a Saint Hyacinth Mummy Wasp?
It is thought that adults overwinter and may attack an alternate host upon emergence in the spring, but so far this is not known.