Dracunesia parapolita
This record describes Dracunesia parapolita (species). Recorded family: Bethylidae. Recorded order: Hymenoptera.
Identification and Appearance
Males: pronotal disc with a distinct transverse carina dorsally; mandibles with 5 teeth; abdomen petiolate; median lobe of clypeus roundly or roundly or somewhat angularly produced, extending well beyond lateral lobes; median lobe of clypeus narrow, prominent; surface of propodeum wholly roughened by reticulate ridges; head black, mandibles yellowish brown, darker basally and apically; scape and pedicel straw-colored, flagellum gradually darkened to brown at apex; thorax dark brown fuscous; coxae brown, femora light brown, remainder of legs straw-colore; wings hyaline, with dark setulae, stigma brown, veins light brown; abdomen medium brown .
Classification
- Kingdom
- Animalia
- Phylum
- Arthropoda
- Class
- Insecta
- Order
- Hymenoptera (Ants, Bees, Wasps and Sawflies)
- Superfamily
- Chrysidoidea
- Family
- Bethylidae (Flat Wasps)
- Subfamily
- Pristocerinae
- Genus
- Dracunesia
Imported taxonomy record. Source availability varies; see the source references and editorial policy below.
Habitat and Range
Habitat
ant nests
Geographic Range
eastern North America; published records NY-FL
Additional species information
Species notes from the sources
Etymology: Dracunesia parapolita
About Flies: the wider group
Order-level background for Hymenoptera, the group containing Dracunesia parapolita. 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 Dracunesia parapolita (2)
Photo credits: Contributed by Arturo Santos; Additional contributions by v belov
Frequently Asked Questions About Dracunesia parapolita
What is Dracunesia parapolita?
Dracunesia parapolita is a species in the family Bethylidae, within the order Hymenoptera.
How big is Dracunesia parapolita?
~3.5 mm
How do you identify Dracunesia parapolita?
Males: pronotal disc with a distinct transverse carina dorsally; mandibles with 5 teeth; abdomen petiolate; median lobe of clypeus roundly or roundly or somewhat angularly produced, extending well beyond lateral lobes; median lobe of clypeus narrow, prominent; surface of propodeum wholly roughened by reticulate ridges; head black, mandibles yellowish brown, darker basally and apically; scape and pedicel straw-colored, flagellum gradually darkened to brown at apex; thorax dark brown fuscous; coxae brown, femora light brown, remainder of legs straw-colore; wings hyaline, with dark setulae, stigma brown, veins light brown; abdomen medium brown .
Where is Dracunesia parapolita found?
| Feature | Details |
|---|---|
| Habitat | ant nests |
| Range | eastern North America; published records NY-FL |