Parasitic Grain Wasp
Cephalonomia waterstoni
This record describes Cephalonomia waterstoni (species). Recorded family: Bethylidae. Recorded order: Hymenoptera.
Identification and Appearance
Males are smaller and have longer antennae. It might be of value as a biocontrol.
Classification
- Kingdom
- Animalia
- Phylum
- Arthropoda
- Class
- Insecta
- Order
- Hymenoptera (Ants, Bees, Wasps and Sawflies)
- Superfamily
- Chrysidoidea
- Family
- Bethylidae (Flat Wasps)
- Subfamily
- Scleroderminae
- Genus
- Cephalonomia
Imported taxonomy record. Source availability varies; see the source references and editorial policy below.
Diet and Behavior
Diet: Parasite on the larval and pupal stages of the rusty grain beetle, Laemophloeus ferrugineus (Steph.), also other beetles of this genus.
Additional species information
Species notes from the sources
Etymology: Cephalonomia waterstoni Gahan
About Flies: the wider group
Order-level background for Hymenoptera, the group containing Cephalonomia waterstoni. 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 Parasitic Grain Wasp (4)
Photo credits: Contributed by Ken Wolgemuth; Additional contributions by Beatriz Moisset
Frequently Asked Questions About Parasitic Grain Wasp
What is Parasitic Grain Wasp?
Parasitic Grain Wasp (Cephalonomia waterstoni) is a species in the family Bethylidae, within the order Hymenoptera.
How do you identify Parasitic Grain Wasp?
Males are smaller and have longer antennae.
What does Parasitic Grain Wasp eat?
The diet of the Parasitic Grain Wasp includes Parasite on the larval and pupal stages of the rusty grain beetle, Laemophloeus ferrugineus (Steph.), also other beetles of this genus..