Grotea californica
This record describes Grotea californica (species). Recorded family: Ichneumonidae. Recorded order: Hymenoptera.
Identification and Appearance
fore wing without apical spot, antennae entirely yellow Female (left) and male (right)
Classification
- Kingdom
- Animalia
- Phylum
- Arthropoda
- Class
- Insecta
- Order
- Hymenoptera (Ants, Bees, Wasps and Sawflies)
- Superfamily
- Ichneumonoidea
- Family
- Ichneumonidae (Ichneumonid Wasps)
- Subfamily
- Labeninae
- Genus
- Grotea
Imported taxonomy record. Source availability varies; see the source references and editorial policy below.
Habitat and Range
Geographic Range
western coast
Diet and Behavior
Diet: Bob Carlson commented : " Grotea appear to be somewhat unique among the ichneumonids in that the larvae consume multiple larvae of Ceratina and also eat some of the pollen or bee bread with which the Ceratina cells have been provisioned."
Life History
Adult females search for twigs and stems containing larval chambers of Ceratina ...and perhaps other bees that excavate nests in the pith of broken plant twigs and stems. They then drill through the bark or outer tissue of the stem with their ovipositor and deposit an egg on the bee larva.
About Flies: the wider group
Order-level background for Hymenoptera, the group containing Grotea californica. 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 Grotea californica (5)
Photo credits: Contributed by Bob Carlson; Additional contributions by Aaron Schusteff , PaleoJon
Frequently Asked Questions About Grotea californica
What is Grotea californica?
Grotea californica is a species in the family Ichneumonidae, within the order Hymenoptera.
How do you identify Grotea californica?
fore wing without apical spot, antennae entirely yellow Female (left) and male (right)
Where is Grotea californica found?
Range: western coast
What does Grotea californica eat?
The diet of the Grotea californica includes Bob Carlson commented : Grotea appear to be somewhat unique among the ichneumonids in that the larvae consume multiple larvae of Ceratina and also eat some of the pollen or bee bread with which the Ceratina cells have been provisioned..
What is the life cycle of a Grotea californica?
Adult females search for twigs and stems containing larval chambers of Ceratina ...and perhaps other bees that excavate nests in the pith of broken plant twigs and stems. They then drill through the bark or outer tissue of the stem with their ovipositor and deposit an egg on the bee larva.