Haltichella rhyacioniae
This record describes Haltichella rhyacioniae (species). Recorded family: Chalcididae. Recorded order: Hymenoptera.
Identification and Appearance
look at tergite 1 to separate the two common California spp.: if smooth => H. xanticles ; if punctulate => H. rhyacioniae
Classification
- Kingdom
- Animalia
- Phylum
- Arthropoda
- Class
- Insecta
- Order
- Hymenoptera (Ants, Bees, Wasps and Sawflies)
- Superfamily
- Chalcidoidea
- Family
- Chalcididae (Chalcidid Wasps)
- Subfamily
- Haltichellinae
- Genus
- Haltichella
Imported taxonomy record. Source availability varies; see the source references and editorial policy below.
Habitat and Range
Geographic Range
US (north to MA-NE-CO-CA) & Mexico[cite:238466
About Flies: the wider group
Order-level background for Hymenoptera, the group containing Haltichella rhyacioniae. 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 Haltichella rhyacioniae (2)
Photo credits: Contributed by Brad Barnd; Additional contributions by Beatriz Moisset , v belov
Frequently Asked Questions About Haltichella rhyacioniae
What is Haltichella rhyacioniae?
Haltichella rhyacioniae is a species in the family Chalcididae, within the order Hymenoptera.
How do you identify Haltichella rhyacioniae?
look at tergite 1 to separate the two common California spp.: if smooth => H. xanticles ; if punctulate => H. rhyacioniae
Where is Haltichella rhyacioniae found?
Range: US (north to MA-NE-CO-CA) & Mexico[cite:238466