Asaphes suspensus
This record describes Asaphes suspensus (species). Recorded family: Trichogrammatidae. Recorded order: Hymenoptera.
Identification and Appearance
Can be determined from other Asaphes species by the all-yellow legs (G. Gibson, personal comm.)
Classification
- Kingdom
- Animalia
- Phylum
- Arthropoda
- Class
- Insecta
- Order
- Hymenoptera (Ants, Bees, Wasps and Sawflies)
- Superfamily
- Chalcidoidea
- Family
- Trichogrammatidae
- Subfamily
- Oligositinae
- Tribe
- Oligositini
- Genus
- Asaphes
Imported taxonomy record. Source availability varies; see the source references and editorial policy below.
Habitat and Range
Geographic Range
Cosmopolitan
Diet and Behavior
Diet: larvae feed on parasitoids of aphids or on parasitoids of syrphid fly larvae that feed on aphids (G. Gibson personal comm).
Life History
Hyperparasitoids of aphids and parasitoids of aphid predators in the fly family Syrphidae. For more on parasitoid life cycles click here .
Additional species information
Species notes from the sources
Etymology: Asaphes suspensus Nees 1834
About Flies: the wider group
Order-level background for Hymenoptera, the group containing Asaphes suspensus. 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 Asaphes suspensus (5)
Photo credits: Contributed by josephfortier
Frequently Asked Questions About Asaphes suspensus
What is Asaphes suspensus?
Asaphes suspensus is a species in the family Trichogrammatidae, within the order Hymenoptera.
How big is Asaphes suspensus?
2 mm
How do you identify Asaphes suspensus?
Can be determined from other Asaphes species by the all-yellow legs (G. Gibson, personal comm.)
Where is Asaphes suspensus found?
Range: Cosmopolitan
What does Asaphes suspensus eat?
The diet of the Asaphes suspensus includes larvae feed on parasitoids of aphids or on parasitoids of syrphid fly larvae that feed on aphids (G. Gibson personal comm)..
What is the life cycle of a Asaphes suspensus?
Hyperparasitoids of aphids and parasitoids of aphid predators in the fly family Syrphidae. For more on parasitoid life cycles click here .