Dusona circumspectans
This record describes Dusona circumspectans (species). Recorded family: Ichneumonidae. Recorded order: Hymenoptera.
Identification and Appearance
This ichneumon is about 7 or 8 mm long and has a black head and thorax. The abdomen is also black but has a wide orange band. The legs are mainly orange, but the femurs of the rear legs are black. Thought to parasitise small caterpillars.
Classification
- Kingdom
- Animalia
- Phylum
- Arthropoda
- Class
- Insecta
- Order
- Hymenoptera
- Family
- Ichneumonidae
- Genus
- Dusona
Imported taxonomy record. Source availability varies; see the source references and editorial policy below.
Habitat and Range
Habitat
Found around hedgerows and meadows.
Seasonal Activity
Spring and summer.
Diet and Behavior
Life History
Thought to parasitise small caterpillars.
Additional species information
Recorded status
Status in Britain not known.
About Flies: the wider group
Order-level background for Hymenoptera, the group containing Dusona circumspectans. 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 Dusona circumspectans (4)
Frequently Asked Questions About Dusona circumspectans
What is Dusona circumspectans?
Dusona circumspectans is a species in the family Ichneumonidae, within the order Hymenoptera.
Where is Dusona circumspectans found?
Habitat: Found around hedgerows and meadows.
When is Dusona circumspectans active?
Dusona circumspectans: seasonal activity - Spring and summer..
What is the life cycle of a Dusona circumspectans?
Thought to parasitise small caterpillars.