Belonocnema kinseyi
This record describes Belonocnema kinseyi (species). Recorded family: Cynipidae. Recorded order: Hymenoptera.
Identification and Appearance
Spur on the anterior side of fore tibia shorter than basitarsus, approximately the same length as tibial spurs. Middle tibia without a spur. Asexual generation (Antennae with 14 in females or 15 in males with F1 excavated segments) scutellar foveae deeply excavated, delimited on all sides, separated narrowly by a carina. Rs vein thickened but not infumated. Sexual generation (Antennae with 13 segments) reddish brown in color, areolet in fore wing small and indistinct. . Galls in east of Gautier, Mississippi are B. treatae, this appears to be a hybrid zone between the two species. Specimens collected around this area from Q. virginiana cannot be accurately identified without the adults .
Classification
- Kingdom
- Animalia
- Phylum
- Arthropoda
- Class
- Insecta
- Order
- Hymenoptera (Ants, Bees, Wasps and Sawflies)
- Superfamily
- Cynipoidea
- Family
- Cynipidae (Gall Wasps)
- Tribe
- Cynipini
- Genus
- Belonocnema
Imported taxonomy record. Source availability varies; see the source references and editorial policy below.
Habitat and Range
Geographic Range
Texas, Oklahoma, Louisiana, Mississippi (west of Gautier), and likely extends down to Northern Mexico.
Diet and Behavior
Diet: Associated with Quercus fusiformis (Texas live oak) and Quercus virginiana (southern live oak).
About Flies: the wider group
Order-level background for Hymenoptera, the group containing Belonocnema kinseyi. 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 Belonocnema kinseyi (5)
Photo credits: Contributed by john and jane balaban; Additional contributions by mileszhang , PaleoJon
Frequently Asked Questions About Belonocnema kinseyi
What is Belonocnema kinseyi?
Belonocnema kinseyi is a species in the family Cynipidae, within the order Hymenoptera.
How do you identify Belonocnema kinseyi?
Spur on the anterior side of fore tibia shorter than basitarsus, approximately the same length as tibial spurs. Middle tibia without a spur. Asexual generation (Antennae with 14 in females or 15 in males with F1 excavated segments) scutellar foveae deeply excavated, delimited on all sides, separated narrowly by a carina. Rs vein thickened but not infumated. Sexual generation (Antennae with 13 segments) reddish brown in color, areolet in fore wing small and indistinct. .
Where is Belonocnema kinseyi found?
Range: Texas, Oklahoma, Louisiana, Mississippi (west of Gautier), and likely extends down to Northern Mexico.
What does Belonocnema kinseyi eat?
The diet of the Belonocnema kinseyi includes Associated with Quercus fusiformis (Texas live oak) and Quercus virginiana (southern live oak)..