Brachycyrtus pretiosus
This record describes Brachycyrtus pretiosus (species). Recorded family: Ichneumonidae. Recorded order: Hymenoptera.
Identification and Appearance
Distinguished from allies by its fulvous thorax, white markings, lighter hind trochanter, apex of hind tibia dark, darker-marked hind femur, and dark lines on the tarsi
Classification
- Kingdom
- Animalia
- Phylum
- Arthropoda
- Class
- Insecta
- Order
- Hymenoptera (Ants, Bees, Wasps and Sawflies)
- Superfamily
- Ichneumonoidea
- Family
- Ichneumonidae (Ichneumonid Wasps)
- Subfamily
- Brachycyrtinae
- Genus
- Brachycyrtus
Imported taxonomy record. Source availability varies; see the source references and editorial policy below.
Habitat and Range
Geographic Range
Per personal communication from Dr. David Wahl, "This species is found from Florida and around the Gulf states and thence south to northern Argentina (Gauld, Ichneumonidae of Costa Rica, 3: pp. 29-30)."
Diet and Behavior
Diet: Larvae are parasitoids of green lacewing pupae.
About Flies: the wider group
Order-level background for Hymenoptera, the group containing Brachycyrtus pretiosus. 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 Brachycyrtus pretiosus (5)
Photo credits: Contributed by Bob Carlson; Additional contributions by PaleoJon
Frequently Asked Questions About Brachycyrtus pretiosus
What is Brachycyrtus pretiosus?
Brachycyrtus pretiosus is a species in the family Ichneumonidae, within the order Hymenoptera.
How do you identify Brachycyrtus pretiosus?
Distinguished from allies by its fulvous thorax, white markings, lighter hind trochanter, apex of hind tibia dark, darker-marked hind femur, and dark lines on the tarsi
Where is Brachycyrtus pretiosus found?
Range: Per personal communication from Dr. David Wahl, This species is found from Florida and around the Gulf states and thence south to northern Argentina (Gauld, Ichneumonidae of Costa Rica, 3: pp. 29-30).
What does Brachycyrtus pretiosus eat?
The diet of the Brachycyrtus pretiosus includes Larvae are parasitoids of green lacewing pupae..