Callitula pyrrhogaster
This record describes Callitula pyrrhogaster (species). Recorded family: Pteromalidae. Recorded order: Hymenoptera.
Identification and Appearance
| Feature | Description |
|---|---|
| Additional details | Callitula pyrrhogaster is a tiny, flightless parasitic wasp. |
| Wings | Wings rudimentary, head in dorsal view only 1.8 to 1.85 times as broad as long. |
| Abdomen | Abdomen (gaster) dorsally with the basal half or more reddish-orange. Callitula bicolor (this has wings fully developed). Identification of most species in this group is very difficult. Although this particular species is rather distinctive, high quality photographs are still required. Main period would seem to be April to September. A tiny parasitoid wasp of flies. A known parasitoid of the frit fly ( Oscinella frit ), considered a pest of agricultural crops like oats, barley, wheat, and maize. Rarely recorded in Britain, perhaps due to its very small size and the difficulty of identifying species in this family group, but may be fairly frequent. |
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
Various habitats, grassy areas.
Seasonal Activity
Main period would seem to be April to September.
Diet and Behavior
Life History
A tiny parasitoid wasp of flies. A known parasitoid of the frit fly (
Additional species information
Recorded status
Rarely recorded in Britain, perhaps due to its very small size and the difficulty of identifying species in this family group, but may be fairly frequent.
About Flies: the wider group
Order-level background for Hymenoptera, the group containing Callitula pyrrhogaster. 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 pyrrhogaster (3)
Frequently Asked Questions About Callitula pyrrhogaster
What is Callitula pyrrhogaster?
Callitula pyrrhogaster is a species in the family Pteromalidae, within the order Hymenoptera.
Where is Callitula pyrrhogaster found?
Habitat: Various habitats, grassy areas.
When is Callitula pyrrhogaster active?
Callitula pyrrhogaster: seasonal activity - Main period would seem to be April to September..
What is the life cycle of a Callitula pyrrhogaster?
A tiny parasitoid wasp of flies. A known parasitoid of the frit fly (