Balcha indica
This record describes Balcha indica (species). Recorded family: Eupelmidae. Recorded order: Hymenoptera.
Identification and Appearance
lateral habitus Its possible use as biocontrol of the emerald ash borer is being studied. Although males are known from the Old World only females have been recovered in North America, indicating a parthenogenetic form was introduced. Comment here (Gary Gibson)
Identification notes
lateral habitus
Classification
- Kingdom
- Animalia
- Phylum
- Arthropoda
- Class
- Insecta
- Order
- Hymenoptera (Ants, Bees, Wasps and Sawflies)
- Superfamily
- Chalcidoidea
- Family
- Eupelmidae
- Subfamily
- Calosotinae
- Genus
- Balcha
Imported taxonomy record. Source availability varies; see the source references and editorial policy below.
Habitat and Range
Geographic Range
native to S./SE. Asia, accidentally introduced in the US (MI, MD-VA) Found in Virginia in 1994.
Diet and Behavior
Diet: host: Agrilus planipennis (Emerald Ash Borer)
Life History
Parthenogenetic reproduction has been reported. They may need more than three months to complete a generation.
Additional species information
Species notes from the sources
Etymology: Balcha indica (Mani & Kaul 1973)
About Flies: the wider group
Order-level background for Hymenoptera, the group containing Balcha indica. 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 Balcha indica (3)
Photo credits: Contributed by Bob Carlson; Additional contributions by Beatriz Moisset , v belov
Frequently Asked Questions About Balcha indica
What is Balcha indica?
Balcha indica is a species in the family Eupelmidae, within the order Hymenoptera.
How do you identify Balcha indica?
lateral habitus
Where is Balcha indica found?
Range: native to S./SE. Asia, accidentally introduced in the US (MI, MD-VA) Found in Virginia in 1994.
What does Balcha indica eat?
The diet of the Balcha indica includes host: Agrilus planipennis (Emerald Ash Borer).
What is the life cycle of a Balcha indica?
Parthenogenetic reproduction has been reported. They may need more than three months to complete a generation.