Chalcedectus caelata
This record describes Chalcedectus caelata (species). Recorded family: Chalcedectidae. Recorded order: Hymenoptera.
Identification and Appearance
Purple or blue metallic highlights, female with deeply emarginated tergite 2, and both male and female with distinct teeth on the inner margin of the hind femur.
Classification
- Kingdom
- Animalia
- Phylum
- Arthropoda
- Class
- Insecta
- Order
- Hymenoptera (Ants, Bees, Wasps and Sawflies)
- Superfamily
- Chalcidoidea
- Family
- Chalcedectidae
- Genus
- Chalcedectus
Imported taxonomy record. Source availability varies; see the source references and editorial policy below.
Habitat and Range
Geographic Range
Southern North America
Diet and Behavior
Diet: ex pupal cell of Chrysobothris mali
Additional species information
Species notes from the sources
Etymology: Chalcedectus caelata (Grissell 1991) From the Latin caelo , meaning engraved, in reference to the sculpturing of the metasoma.
About Flies: the wider group
Order-level background for Hymenoptera, the group containing Chalcedectus caelata. 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 Chalcedectus caelata (2)
Photo credits: Contributed by Dennis Haines
Frequently Asked Questions About Chalcedectus caelata
What is Chalcedectus caelata?
Chalcedectus caelata is a species in the family Chalcedectidae, within the order Hymenoptera.
How do you identify Chalcedectus caelata?
Purple or blue metallic highlights, female with deeply emarginated tergite 2, and both male and female with distinct teeth on the inner margin of the hind femur.
Where is Chalcedectus caelata found?
Range: Southern North America
What does Chalcedectus caelata eat?
The diet of the Chalcedectus caelata includes ex pupal cell of Chrysobothris mali.