Chelonus
This record describes Chelonus (genus). Recorded family: Braconidae. Recorded order: Hymenoptera.
Identification and Appearance
Dark, robust and heavily sculptured wasps. Chelonines are distinguished from other Braconids by possession of a gastral carapace formed by the fusion of the first three tergites, together with a complete postpectal carina, and three submarginal cells in the forewing. Around 20 UK species, whiuch are very difficult to distinguish. Unless identified by a recognised expert, a photo is required and the specimen should be examined with a microscope. In the comments box, state the key or ID method used and describe the size and identifying characters. Egg-larval koinobionts, mainly of hosts with concealed larvae. In Britain, they are associated almost entirely with microlepidoptera. Shaw, M.R., & Huddleston, T. (1991) Classification and biology of braconid wasps. Handbooks for the identification of British insects, 7(11), 1-126. No additional images available for this species.
Classification
- Kingdom
- Animalia
- Phylum
- Arthropoda
- Class
- Insecta
- Order
- Hymenoptera (Ants, Bees, Wasps and Sawflies)
- Superfamily
- Ichneumonoidea
- Family
- Braconidae (Braconid Wasps)
- Subfamily
- Cheloninae
- Genus
- Chelonus
Imported taxonomy record. Source availability varies; see the source references and editorial policy below.
Diet and Behavior
Life History
Egg-larval koinobionts, mainly of hosts with concealed larvae. In Britain, they are associated almost entirely with microlepidoptera.
Additional species information
Recorded status
Common but massively under recorded.
About Flies: the wider group
Order-level background for Hymenoptera, the group containing Chelonus. 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.
