Cryptoserphus dilatus
This record describes Cryptoserphus dilatus (species). Recorded family: Proctotrupidae. Recorded order: Hymenoptera.
Identification and Appearance
Length ~5mm. Longer spur of hind tibia ending between the middle and the apical two-fifths of the first segment of the hind tarsus. Upper front part of the smooth area on the metapleuron not connected by a ridge to the upper edge of the propodeum, or sometimes connected by a weak or incomplete ridge. Mesopleural suture not marked with small depressions or pits. Clypeus about 0.60 times as wide as the face. Median longitudinal groove at the base of the syntergite short, reaching 0.2 to 0.3 of the distance to the first pair of thyridia. Hair band on the front edge of the mesopleurum nearly always with a wide interruption. Male: punctures on the tergite following the syntergite moderately small, separated by about half their diameter. Unless identified by a recognised expert, photos are required showing the key features. If keyed describe how it was identified and the key used. No additional images available for this species.
Classification
- Kingdom
- Animalia
- Phylum
- Arthropoda
- Class
- Insecta
- Order
- Hymenoptera
- Family
- Proctotrupidae
- Genus
- Cryptoserphus
Imported taxonomy record. Source availability varies; see the source references and editorial policy below.
Diet and Behavior
Life History
Parasitoid of fungus gnat larvae.
Additional species information
Recorded status
Unknown.
About Flies: the wider group
Order-level background for Hymenoptera, the group containing Cryptoserphus dilatus. 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.
