Aulacus burquei
This record describes Aulacus burquei (species). Recorded family: Aulacidae. Recorded order: Hymenoptera.
Identification and Appearance
Apparently the only uniformly orange Aulacus in the eastern US. Parasitic on various Xiphydria species.
Wikipedia reference for Aulacus burquei: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Aulacus_burquei.
Classification
- Kingdom
- Animalia
- Phylum
- Arthropoda
- Class
- Insecta
- Order
- Hymenoptera (Ants, Bees, Wasps and Sawflies)
- Superfamily
- Evanioidea
- Family
- Aulacidae (Aulacid Wasps)
- Genus
- Aulacus
Imported taxonomy record. Source availability varies; see the source references and editorial policy below.
Diet and Behavior
Diet: Larval host: Xiphydria maculata .
About Flies: the wider group
Order-level background for Hymenoptera, the group containing Aulacus burquei. 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 Aulacus burquei (3)
Photo credits: Contributed by v belov; Additional contributions by Marci Hess , PaleoJon
Frequently Asked Questions About Aulacus burquei
What is Aulacus burquei?
Aulacus burquei is a species in the family Aulacidae, within the order Hymenoptera.
How do you identify Aulacus burquei?
Apparently the only uniformly orange Aulacus in the eastern US.
What does Aulacus burquei eat?
The diet of the Aulacus burquei includes Larval host: Xiphydria maculata ..