Conura amoena
This record describes Conura amoena (species). Recorded family: Chalcididae. Recorded order: Hymenoptera.
Identification and Appearance
C. amoena has a distinctive row of long teeth on the hind femora. Note: size number, and arrangement of these teeth should be considerations when attempting to identify this species. This is not the only species with prominent teeth.
Classification
- Kingdom
- Animalia
- Phylum
- Arthropoda
- Class
- Insecta
- Order
- Hymenoptera (Ants, Bees, Wasps and Sawflies)
- Superfamily
- Chalcidoidea
- Family
- Chalcididae (Chalcidid Wasps)
- Subfamily
- Chalcidinae
- Genus
- Conura
Imported taxonomy record. Source availability varies; see the source references and editorial policy below.
Habitat and Range
Geographic Range
so. US to Argentina
Diet and Behavior
Diet: hosts: hairstreak butterflies (Theclinae)
About Flies: the wider group
Order-level background for Hymenoptera, the group containing Conura amoena. 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 Conura amoena (2)
Photo credits: Contributed by tom murray; Additional contributions by v belov , Robert H. Biagi , PaleoJon
Frequently Asked Questions About Conura amoena
What is Conura amoena?
Conura amoena is a species in the family Chalcididae, within the order Hymenoptera.
How do you identify Conura amoena?
C. amoena has a distinctive row of long teeth on the hind femora. Note: size number, and arrangement of these teeth should be considerations when attempting to identify this species. This is not the only species with prominent teeth.
Where is Conura amoena found?
Range: so. US to Argentina
What does Conura amoena eat?
The diet of the Conura amoena includes hosts: hairstreak butterflies (Theclinae).