Hedychrum niemelai
This record describes Hedychrum niemelai (species). Recorded family: Chrysididae. Recorded order: Hymenoptera.
Identification and Appearance
A spectacular species with metallic reds and blue-greens. The female has red thorax, the male thorax is blue-green. Open sandy localities: lowland heaths, coastal dunes, cliffs with sandy deposits, and other disturbed locations, for exampleÿsandpits, footpaths and railway cuttings. Mainly to be seen during July and August, but also during June and September and rarely during May. Adults fly in bright sunshine around nesting sites ofÿthe hosts and feed at the nectariesÿand extra floral nectaries of flowering plants. The hosts of this species are Cerceris ruficornis, Cerceris arenaria, Cerceris rybyensis and Cerceris quinquefasciata. All the host species nest in sandy places. On detecting a host's nest the female enters and lays an egg in a cell. On hatching the chrysidid larva acts as a parasitoid consuming either the mature larva or prepupa of the host. No additional images available for this species.
Classification
- Kingdom
- Animalia
- Phylum
- Arthropoda
- Class
- Insecta
- Order
- Hymenoptera
- Family
- Chrysididae
- Genus
- Hedychrum
Imported taxonomy record. Source availability varies; see the source references and editorial policy below.
Habitat and Range
Habitat
Open sandy localities: lowland heaths, coastal dunes, cliffs with sandy deposits, and other disturbed locations, for exampleÿsandpits, footpaths and railway cuttings.
Seasonal Activity
Mainly to be seen during July and August, but also during June and September and rarely during May. Adults fly in bright sunshine around nesting sites ofÿthe hosts and feed at the nectariesÿand extra floral nectaries of flowering plants.
Diet and Behavior
Life History
The hosts of this species are Cerceris ruficornis, Cerceris arenaria, Cerceris rybyensis and Cerceris quinquefasciata. All the host species nest in sandy places. On detecting a host's nest the female enters and lays an egg in a cell. On hatching the chrysidid larva acts as a parasitoid consuming either the mature larva or prepupa of the host.
Additional species information
Recorded status
Recorded from Cornwall to Kent and north to Oxfordshire, Norfolk, Leicestershire and Lincolnshire.
About Flies: the wider group
Order-level background for Hymenoptera, the group containing Hedychrum niemelai. 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.
Frequently Asked Questions About Hedychrum niemelai
What is Hedychrum niemelai?
Hedychrum niemelai is a species in the family Chrysididae, within the order Hymenoptera.
Where is Hedychrum niemelai found?
Habitat: Open sandy localities: lowland heaths, coastal dunes, cliffs with sandy deposits, and other disturbed locations, for exampleÿsandpits, footpaths and railway cuttings.
When is Hedychrum niemelai active?
Hedychrum niemelai: seasonal activity - Mainly to be seen during July and August, but also during June and September and rarely during May. Adults fly in bright sunshine around nesting sites ofÿthe hosts and feed at the nectariesÿand extra floral nectaries of flowering plants..
What is the life cycle of a Hedychrum niemelai?
The hosts of this species are Cerceris ruficornis, Cerceris arenaria, Cerceris rybyensis and Cerceris quinquefasciata. All the host species nest in sandy places. On detecting a host's nest the female enters and lays an egg in a cell. On hatching the chrysidid larva acts as a parasitoid consuming either the mature larva or prepupa of the host.