Grotea lokii
This record describes Grotea lokii (species). Recorded family: Ichneumonidae. Recorded order: Hymenoptera.
Identification and Appearance
Almost identical to its eastern analogue, G. anguinea in coloration. Distinguished by a brownish spot in the forewing (either conspicuous or faint) and by the lack of a deep-orange dorsal band on the pronotum. Legs may be slightly more yellow-orange rather than orange. The clypeus is also more faintly pentagonal than in G. anguinea .
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 US (AZ, NM, CO), south into Mexico (Sonora south to Michoacán, east to Nuevo León and Hidalgo)
Diet and Behavior
Diet: Parasitoid of Ceratina (stem-nesting bees)
Additional species information
Species notes from the sources
Etymology: Grotea lokii Slobodchikoff, 1970
About Flies: the wider group
Order-level background for Hymenoptera, the group containing Grotea lokii. 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 lokii (4)
Photo credits: Contributed by Jonathan Hoskins; Additional contributions by egordon88
Frequently Asked Questions About Grotea lokii
What is Grotea lokii?
Grotea lokii is a species in the family Ichneumonidae, within the order Hymenoptera.
How big is Grotea lokii?
forewing 7.0 - 10.5 mm ♀, 6.5 - 11.5 mm ♂
How do you identify Grotea lokii?
Almost identical to its eastern analogue, G. anguinea in coloration. Distinguished by a brownish spot in the forewing (either conspicuous or faint) and by the lack of a deep-orange dorsal band on the pronotum. Legs may be slightly more yellow-orange rather than orange. The clypeus is also more faintly pentagonal than in G. anguinea .
Where is Grotea lokii found?
Range: western US (AZ, NM, CO), south into Mexico (Sonora south to Michoacán, east to Nuevo León and Hidalgo)
What does Grotea lokii eat?
The diet of the Grotea lokii includes Parasitoid of Ceratina (stem-nesting bees).