Dibrachys pelos
This record describes Dibrachys pelos (species). Recorded family: Pteromalidae. Recorded order: Hymenoptera.
Identification and Appearance
Discal area of forewing infuscated + distance between eyes and ocelli about 1.5 to 2 times lateral ocellus diameter. A similar species (D. confusus) has the eyes and ocelli separated more widely (Grissell, 1974).
Classification
- Kingdom
- Animalia
- Phylum
- Arthropoda
- Class
- Insecta
- Order
- Hymenoptera (Ants, Bees, Wasps and Sawflies)
- Superfamily
- Chalcidoidea
- Family
- Pteromalidae (Pteromalid Wasps)
- Subfamily
- Pteromalinae
- Tribe
- Pteromalini
- Genus
- Dibrachys
Imported taxonomy record. Source availability varies; see the source references and editorial policy below.
Habitat and Range
Geographic Range
Widespread in North America.
Diet and Behavior
Diet: Parasitoid, in the wild has been reared from Sceliphron caementarium and Osmia nigrifrons. In captivity, has been reared from a wide range of chamber-nesting bees, sphecids, velvet ants, bee flies, and eumenines (González et al., 2005).
About Flies: the wider group
Order-level background for Hymenoptera, the group containing Dibrachys pelos. 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.
Frequently Asked Questions About Dibrachys pelos
What is Dibrachys pelos?
Dibrachys pelos is a species in the family Pteromalidae, within the order Hymenoptera.
How do you identify Dibrachys pelos?
Discal area of forewing infuscated + distance between eyes and ocelli about 1.5 to 2 times lateral ocellus diameter. A similar species (D. confusus) has the eyes and ocelli separated more widely (Grissell, 1974).
Where is Dibrachys pelos found?
Range: Widespread in North America.
What does Dibrachys pelos eat?
The diet of the Dibrachys pelos includes Parasitoid, in the wild has been reared from Sceliphron caementarium and Osmia nigrifrons. In captivity, has been reared from a wide range of chamber-nesting bees, sphecids, velvet ants, bee flies, and eumenines (González et al., 2005)..