Brasema leucothysana
This record describes Brasema leucothysana (species). Recorded family: Eupelmidae. Recorded order: Hymenoptera.
Identification and Appearance
Female with dense, reflective, white setae on base of flagellum.
Classification
- Kingdom
- Animalia
- Phylum
- Arthropoda
- Class
- Insecta
- Order
- Hymenoptera (Ants, Bees, Wasps and Sawflies)
- Superfamily
- Chalcidoidea
- Family
- Eupelmidae
- Subfamily
- Eupelminae
- Genus
- Brasema
Imported taxonomy record. Source availability varies; see the source references and editorial policy below.
Habitat and Range
Geographic Range
e. US and adjacent Canada
Additional species information
Species notes from the sources
Etymology: Brasema leucothysana Gibson 1995 Greek leukos 'white' + thysanos 'fringe' (reference to the fringe of white setae at flagellar base)
About Flies: the wider group
Order-level background for Hymenoptera, the group containing Brasema leucothysana. 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 Brasema leucothysana (3)
Photo credits: Contributed by John F. Carr; Additional contributions by v belov
Frequently Asked Questions About Brasema leucothysana
What is Brasema leucothysana?
Brasema leucothysana is a species in the family Eupelmidae, within the order Hymenoptera.
How big is Brasema leucothysana?
1.5-4.1 mm
How do you identify Brasema leucothysana?
Female with dense, reflective, white setae on base of flagellum.
Where is Brasema leucothysana found?
Range: e. US and adjacent Canada