Blue-eyed Ensign Wasp
Evania appendigaster
This record describes Evania appendigaster (species). Recorded family: Evaniidae. Recorded order: Hymenoptera.
Identification and Appearance
Most readily identified by its brilliant blue eyes. The only species in our area with all of the coxae evenly spaced. It is one of two large species, the other being the often brown-marked Prosevania fuscipes . Note: additional (rare) blue or green-eyed Evania and Evaniella species occur outside of our covered area, such as Evania albofasciatus of Central America ( holotype specimen in BMNH ) A solitary endoparasitoid of oothecae of several introduced cockroach species, of which it has a biological control potential: American cockroach (really from Africa and the Middle East) - Periplaneta americana (Linnaeus, 1758); Oriental cockroach - Blatta orientalis Linnaeus, 1758; and Australian cockroach - Periplaneta australasiae (Fabricius, 1775).
Wikipedia reference for Evania appendigaster: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Evania_appendigaster.
Classification
- Kingdom
- Animalia
- Phylum
- Arthropoda
- Class
- Insecta
- Order
- Hymenoptera (Ants, Bees, Wasps and Sawflies)
- Superfamily
- Evanioidea
- Family
- Evaniidae (Ensign Wasps)
- Genus
- Evania
Imported taxonomy record. Source availability varies; see the source references and editorial policy below.
Habitat and Range
Habitat
Sometimes found in houses.
Geographic Range
Cosmopolitan. Introduced, probably of oriental origin.
About Flies: the wider group
Order-level background for Hymenoptera, the group containing Evania appendigaster. 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 Blue-eyed Ensign Wasp (3)
Photo credits: Contributed by Tony DiTerlizzi; Additional contributions by Beatriz Moisset , PaleoJon , bdagley
Frequently Asked Questions About Blue-eyed Ensign Wasp
What is Blue-eyed Ensign Wasp?
Blue-eyed Ensign Wasp (Evania appendigaster) is a species in the family Evaniidae, within the order Hymenoptera.
How do you identify Blue-eyed Ensign Wasp?
Most readily identified by its brilliant blue eyes. The only species in our area with all of the coxae evenly spaced. It is one of two large species, the other being the often brown-marked Prosevania fuscipes . Note: additional (rare) blue or green-eyed Evania and Evaniella species occur outside of our covered area, such as Evania albofasciatus of Central America ( holotype specimen in BMNH )
Where is Blue-eyed Ensign Wasp found?
| Feature | Details |
|---|---|
| Habitat | Sometimes found in houses. |
| Range | Cosmopolitan. Introduced, probably of oriental origin. |