Ctenichneumon minor
This record describes Ctenichneumon minor (species). Recorded family: Ichneumonidae. Recorded order: Hymenoptera.
Identification and Appearance
Scutellum white, fore tibae entirely white, female with white annulus extensive and basal segments with disconnected white marks, abdomen entirely black
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
- Ctenichneumon
Imported taxonomy record. Source availability varies; see the source references and editorial policy below.
Habitat and Range
Geographic Range
NS south to WV, west to SK
Additional species information
Species notes from the sources
Etymology: Ctenichneumon minor Heinrich, 1961
About Flies: the wider group
Order-level background for Hymenoptera, the group containing Ctenichneumon minor. 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 Ctenichneumon minor (5)
Photo credits: Contributed by Bob Carlson; Additional contributions by PaleoJon
Frequently Asked Questions About Ctenichneumon minor
What is Ctenichneumon minor?
Ctenichneumon minor is a species in the family Ichneumonidae, within the order Hymenoptera.
How do you identify Ctenichneumon minor?
Scutellum white, fore tibae entirely white, female with white annulus extensive and basal segments with disconnected white marks, abdomen entirely black
Where is Ctenichneumon minor found?
Range: NS south to WV, west to SK