Eupelmus messene
This record describes Eupelmus messene (species). Recorded family: Eupelmidae. Recorded order: Hymenoptera.
Identification and Appearance
Females are brachypterous. The reduced fore wings are bent upright at a right angle at the level of the base of the abdomen. One of the most ubiquitous eupelmids in North America. It is thought to have been introduced into N. Am. from Europe with the earliest settlers. It has over 140* hosts recorded and only females are known in N. Am., where the species apparently is parthenogenetic. * This was the number for Eupelmus vesicularis before the species was split by Fusu (2017); see that paper for confirmed hosts of E. messene .
Classification
- Kingdom
- Animalia
- Phylum
- Arthropoda
- Class
- Insecta
- Order
- Hymenoptera (Ants, Bees, Wasps and Sawflies)
- Superfamily
- Chalcidoidea
- Family
- Eupelmidae
- Subfamily
- Eupelminae
- Genus
- Eupelmus
Imported taxonomy record. Source availability varies; see the source references and editorial policy below.
About Flies: the wider group
Order-level background for Hymenoptera, the group containing Eupelmus messene. 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 Eupelmus messene (2)
Photo credits: Contributed by tom murray; Additional contributions by Beatriz Moisset , ceiseman