Charmon cruentatus
This record describes Charmon cruentatus (species). Recorded family: Braconidae. Recorded order: Hymenoptera.
Identification and Appearance
Notauli complete, ovipositor shorter (less than 1.2x forewing), pterostigma and apex of hind tibia yellowish, body dark reddish brown usually with thorax conspicuously reddish (variable)
Classification
- Kingdom
- Animalia
- Phylum
- Arthropoda
- Class
- Insecta
- Order
- Hymenoptera (Ants, Bees, Wasps and Sawflies)
- Superfamily
- Ichneumonoidea
- Family
- Braconidae (Braconid Wasps)
- Subfamily
- Charmontinae
- Genus
- Charmon
Imported taxonomy record. Source availability varies; see the source references and editorial policy below.
Habitat and Range
Geographic Range
Holarctic
Additional species information
Species notes from the sources
Etymology: Charmon cruentatus Haliday, 1833
About Flies: the wider group
Order-level background for Hymenoptera, the group containing Charmon cruentatus. 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 Charmon cruentatus (5)
Photo credits: Contributed by Ken Wolgemuth; Additional contributions by PaleoJon
Frequently Asked Questions About Charmon cruentatus
What is Charmon cruentatus?
Charmon cruentatus is a species in the family Braconidae, within the order Hymenoptera.
How do you identify Charmon cruentatus?
Notauli complete, ovipositor shorter (less than 1.2x forewing), pterostigma and apex of hind tibia yellowish, body dark reddish brown usually with thorax conspicuously reddish (variable)
Where is Charmon cruentatus found?
Range: Holarctic