Conura maria
This record describes Conura maria (species). Recorded family: Chalcididae. Recorded order: Hymenoptera.
Identification and Appearance
Distinguished from other members of the maculata -group by the triangular antennal pedicels in the male. Females are especially similar to other members of the group, including C. igneoides .
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
Canada to Venezuela ( 3 )
Diet and Behavior
Diet: Recorded from Samia cynthia , Rothschildia cincta , Rothschildia forbesi , Callosamia angulifera , Callosamia promethea , Hyalophora cecropia , Antheraea polyphemus , Agapema anona , Hemileuca oliviae , Hylesia sp. (all Saturniidae), and Thyridopteryx ephemeraeformis (Psychidae) ( 4 ) .
Life History
larval-pupal parasitoid; parasitization of Samia cynthia in Philadelphia was as high as 85% ( 4 )
Additional species information
Species notes from the sources
Etymology: Conura maria (Riley, 1870)
About Flies: the wider group
Order-level background for Hymenoptera, the group containing Conura maria. 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 maria (5)
Photo credits: Contributed by Kyhl Austin; Additional contributions by v belov , PaleoJon
Frequently Asked Questions About Conura maria
What is Conura maria?
Conura maria is a species in the family Chalcididae, within the order Hymenoptera.
How do you identify Conura maria?
Distinguished from other members of the maculata -group by the triangular antennal pedicels in the male. Females are especially similar to other members of the group, including C. igneoides .
Where is Conura maria found?
Range: Canada to Venezuela ( 3 )
What does Conura maria eat?
The diet of the Conura maria includes Recorded from Samia cynthia , Rothschildia cincta , Rothschildia forbesi , Callosamia angulifera , Callosamia promethea , Hyalophora cecropia , Antheraea polyphemus , Agapema anona , Hemileuca oliviae , Hylesia sp. (all Saturniidae), and Thyridopteryx ephemeraeformis (Psychidae) ( 4 ) ..
What is the life cycle of a Conura maria?
larval-pupal parasitoid; parasitization of Samia cynthia in Philadelphia was as high as 85% ( 4 )