Gonatopus lunatus
This record describes Gonatopus lunatus (species). Recorded family: Dryinidae. Recorded order: Hymenoptera.
Identification and Appearance
A solitary parasitoid wasp belonging to the family Dryinidae (Pincer Wasps). Wingless ant-like females have specialized, scissor-like front legs with raptorial claws used to capture and parasitize leafhopper or planthopper nymphs. The eggs are laid on the abdomen of the temporarily paralysed bug and the larvae develop in a cyst which protrudes from the body of the hopper. Unless identified by a recognised expert, a photo is required and the specimen should be examined with a microscope. In the comments box, state the key or ID method used and describe the size and identifying characters. Archer, M. The use of Perkins (1976) to identify species of DEBs (Dryinidae, Embolemidae, Bethylidae) with extra notes. https://bwars.com/sites/default/files/diary_downloads/Key_to_British_DEB_species.pdf No additional images available for this species.
Classification
- Kingdom
- Animalia
- Phylum
- Arthropoda
- Class
- Insecta
- Order
- Hymenoptera
- Family
- Dryinidae
- Genus
- Gonatopus
Imported taxonomy record. Source availability varies; see the source references and editorial policy below.
Additional species information
Recorded status
Unknown.
About Flies: the wider group
Order-level background for Hymenoptera, the group containing Gonatopus lunatus. 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.
