Callitula bicolor
This record describes Callitula bicolor (species). Recorded family: Pteromalidae. Recorded order: Hymenoptera.
Identification and Appearance
| Feature | Description |
|---|---|
| Additional details | Length ~2mm. |
| Wings | Wings fully developed. |
| Head | Head & throrax metallic dark green. |
| Abdomen | Abdomen (gaster) dorsally, usually unicoloured or with a reddish spot in the basal half, rarely the whole basal half reddish. Callitula pyrrhogaster has vestigial wings and more red on the abdomen. Unless identified by a recognised expert, detailed photos of key ID features required. Grassland, meadows and agricultural fields. Unknown, not often recorded due to identification difficulty. |
Classification
- Kingdom
- Animalia
- Phylum
- Arthropoda
- Class
- Insecta
- Order
- Hymenoptera
- Family
- Pteromalidae
- Genus
- Callitula
Imported taxonomy record. Source availability varies; see the source references and editorial policy below.
Habitat and Range
Habitat
Grassland, meadows and agricultural fields.
Seasonal Activity
All year.
Diet and Behavior
Life History
Dipteran parasitoid.
Additional species information
Recorded status
Unknown
About Flies: the wider group
Order-level background for Hymenoptera, the group containing Callitula bicolor. 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 Callitula bicolor (3)
Frequently Asked Questions About Callitula bicolor
What is Callitula bicolor?
Callitula bicolor is a species in the family Pteromalidae, within the order Hymenoptera.
How big is Callitula bicolor?
~2mm.
Where is Callitula bicolor found?
Habitat: Grassland, meadows and agricultural fields.
When is Callitula bicolor active?
Callitula bicolor: seasonal activity - All year..
What is the life cycle of a Callitula bicolor?
Dipteran parasitoid.