Eurytoma obtusiventris
This record describes Eurytoma obtusiventris (species). Recorded family: Eurytomidae. Recorded order: Hymenoptera.
Identification and Appearance
Wikipedia reference for Eurytoma obtusiventris: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Eurytoma_obtusiventris.
Classification
- Kingdom
- Animalia
- Phylum
- Arthropoda
- Class
- Insecta
- Order
- Hymenoptera (Ants, Bees, Wasps and Sawflies)
- Superfamily
- Chalcidoidea
- Family
- Eurytomidae
- Subfamily
- Eurytominae
- Genus
- Eurytoma
Imported taxonomy record. Source availability varies; see the source references and editorial policy below.
Habitat and Range
Geographic Range
US & ON to Mexico
Diet and Behavior
Diet: Primary hosts: various Tephritidae on Asteraceae
Life History
Eurytoma obtusiventris is thelytokous (parthenogenic females, no males) and oviposits into the host egg or larva while the host is still in the goldenrod bud; the parasitoid larva remains quiescent inside the host until autumn, then induces early pupation in the host, starts to grow, overwinters as larva in the usurped gall and emerges in early spring, in time to attack newly deposited host eggs and larvae. ( fact sheet )
Additional species information
Species notes from the sources
Etymology: Eurytoma obtusiventris Gahan 1934
About Flies: the wider group
Order-level background for Hymenoptera, the group containing Eurytoma obtusiventris. 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 Eurytoma obtusiventris (2)
Photo credits: Contributed by Beatriz Moisset; Additional contributions by v belov
Frequently Asked Questions About Eurytoma obtusiventris
Where is Eurytoma obtusiventris found?
Range: US & ON to Mexico
What does Eurytoma obtusiventris eat?
The diet of the Eurytoma obtusiventris includes Primary hosts: various Tephritidae on Asteraceae.
What is the life cycle of a Eurytoma obtusiventris?
Eurytoma obtusiventris is thelytokous (parthenogenic females, no males) and oviposits into the host egg or larva while the host is still in the goldenrod bud; the parasitoid larva remains quiescent inside the host until autumn, then induces early pupation in the host, starts to grow, overwinters as larva in the usurped gall and emerges in early spring, in time to attack newly deposited host eggs and larvae. ( fact sheet )