Chyphotes melaniceps
This record describes Chyphotes melaniceps (species). Recorded family: Chyphotidae. Recorded order: Hymenoptera.
Identification and Appearance
T3 concolorous with remainder of abdomen. Variable terga contrast in other 5 dark-headed species of subgenus Chyphotes makes species ID uncertain without dissection. Can be separated from other species in this subgenus by the darkened head and the characteristic genitalia (paramere margins divergent from base being widest distally, dorsal margin interrupted towards apex, and apex truncate to slightly rounded). Female unknown.
Classification
- Kingdom
- Animalia
- Phylum
- Arthropoda
- Class
- Insecta
- Order
- Hymenoptera (Ants, Bees, Wasps and Sawflies)
- Superfamily
- Thynnoidea
- Family
- Chyphotidae (Chyphotid Wasps)
- Subfamily
- Chyphotinae
- Genus
- Chyphotes
Imported taxonomy record. Source availability varies; see the source references and editorial policy below.
Habitat and Range
Geographic Range
NV, UT, southern CA, AZ, Baja, Sonora
Additional species information
Species notes from the sources
Etymology: Chyphotes (Chyphotes) melaniceps (Blake 1886)
About Flies: the wider group
Order-level background for Hymenoptera, the group containing Chyphotes melaniceps. 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 Chyphotes melaniceps (3)
Photo credits: Contributed by Elliott Gordon; Additional contributions by v belov
Frequently Asked Questions About Chyphotes melaniceps
What is Chyphotes melaniceps?
Chyphotes melaniceps is a species in the family Chyphotidae, within the order Hymenoptera.
How do you identify Chyphotes melaniceps?
T3 concolorous with remainder of abdomen. Variable terga contrast in other 5 dark-headed species of subgenus Chyphotes makes species ID uncertain without dissection. Can be separated from other species in this subgenus by the darkened head and the characteristic genitalia (paramere margins divergent from base being widest distally, dorsal margin interrupted towards apex, and apex truncate to slightly rounded). Female unknown.
Where is Chyphotes melaniceps found?
Range: NV, UT, southern CA, AZ, Baja, Sonora