Chrysis fuscipennis
This record describes Chrysis fuscipennis (species). Recorded family: Chrysididae. Recorded order: Hymenoptera.
Identification and Appearance
Readily distinguished as our only member of the fuscipennis -group by the infuscated wings. Introduced from the Palearctic, probably during World War II, possibly in Sceliphron mud nests
Classification
- Kingdom
- Animalia
- Phylum
- Arthropoda
- Class
- Insecta
- Order
- Hymenoptera (Ants, Bees, Wasps and Sawflies)
- Superfamily
- Chrysidoidea
- Family
- Chrysididae (Cuckoo Wasps)
- Subfamily
- Chrysidinae
- Tribe
- Chrysidini
- Genus
- Chrysis
Imported taxonomy record. Source availability varies; see the source references and editorial policy below.
Habitat and Range
Geographic Range
Native to the Old World (South-Eastern part of Asia and Oriental region), adventive and spreading in NA: Canada (BC, ON, QC), US (found from nearly all states except AK, ND, SD, WY) and Mexico ( map )
Diet and Behavior
Diet: Parasitizes Sceliphron caementarium
Additional species information
Species notes from the sources
Etymology: Chrysis fuscipennis Brullé, 1846
About Flies: the wider group
Order-level background for Hymenoptera, the group containing Chrysis fuscipennis. 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 Chrysis fuscipennis (3)
Photo credits: Contributed by Will Chatfield-Taylor; Additional contributions by Beatriz Moisset , Matthias Buck , v belov , Villu , PaleoJon
Frequently Asked Questions About Chrysis fuscipennis
What is Chrysis fuscipennis?
Chrysis fuscipennis is a species in the family Chrysididae, within the order Hymenoptera.
How do you identify Chrysis fuscipennis?
Readily distinguished as our only member of the fuscipennis -group by the infuscated wings.
Where is Chrysis fuscipennis found?
Range: Native to the Old World (South-Eastern part of Asia and Oriental region), adventive and spreading in NA: Canada (BC, ON, QC), US (found from nearly all states except AK, ND, SD, WY) and Mexico ( map )
What does Chrysis fuscipennis eat?
The diet of the Chrysis fuscipennis includes Parasitizes Sceliphron caementarium.