Coelichneumon sassacus
This record describes Coelichneumon sassacus (species). Recorded family: Ichneumonidae. Recorded order: Hymenoptera.
Identification and Appearance
The body is conspicuously metallic blue throughout. White markings are usually restricted to lateral marks on the scutellum, with the face, pronotum, and subalarum usually entirely unmarked. The scopa is large. The flagellum is moderately long with 40-42 segments.
Classification
- Kingdom
- Animalia
- Phylum
- Arthropoda
- Class
- Insecta
- Order
- Hymenoptera (Ants, Bees, Wasps and Sawflies)
- Superfamily
- Ichneumonoidea
- Family
- Ichneumonidae (Ichneumonid Wasps)
- Subfamily
- Ichneumoninae
- Tribe
- Ichneumonini
- Genus
- Coelichneumon
Imported taxonomy record. Source availability varies; see the source references and editorial policy below.
Habitat and Range
Geographic Range
eastern (QC south to w. NC, west to MI)
Additional species information
Species notes from the sources
Etymology: Coelichneumon sassacus (Viereck, 1917)
About Flies: the wider group
Order-level background for Hymenoptera, the group containing Coelichneumon sassacus. 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 Coelichneumon sassacus (5)
Photo credits: Contributed by Bob Carlson; Additional contributions by PaleoJon
Frequently Asked Questions About Coelichneumon sassacus
What is Coelichneumon sassacus?
Coelichneumon sassacus is a species in the family Ichneumonidae, within the order Hymenoptera.
How big is Coelichneumon sassacus?
13-17 mm
How do you identify Coelichneumon sassacus?
The body is conspicuously metallic blue throughout. White markings are usually restricted to lateral marks on the scutellum, with the face, pronotum, and subalarum usually entirely unmarked. The scopa is large. The flagellum is moderately long with 40-42 segments.
Where is Coelichneumon sassacus found?
Range: eastern (QC south to w. NC, west to MI)