Ichneumon feralis
This record describes Ichneumon feralis (species). Recorded family: Ichneumonidae. Recorded order: Hymenoptera.
Identification and Appearance
Scutellum white, abdomen with complete white band on T2 and white anal mark on T5-7, hind tarsi reddish-brown. Most similar-looking relatives lack the pale marks on metasomal tergites 5, 6, and 7. See comment by Bob Carlson here . Believed to be a parasitoid of Hepialus mustelinus , now treated as a synonym of Korscheltellus gracilis .
Classification
- Kingdom
- Animalia
- Phylum
- Arthropoda
- Class
- Insecta
- Order
- Hymenoptera (Ants, Bees, Wasps and Sawflies)
- Superfamily
- Ichneumonoidea
- Family
- Ichneumonidae (Ichneumonid Wasps)
- Subfamily
- Ichneumoninae
- Tribe
- Ichneumonini
- Genus
- Ichneumon
Imported taxonomy record. Source availability varies; see the source references and editorial policy below.
Habitat and Range
Geographic Range
Alberta to Labrador and part of Northeast USA, presumably limited by the range of spruce trees in which its host lives.
Additional species information
Species notes from the sources
Etymology: Author: Cresson, 1867
About Flies: the wider group
Order-level background for Hymenoptera, the group containing Ichneumon feralis. 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 Ichneumon feralis (5)
Photo credits: Contributed by Bob Carlson; Additional contributions by Beatriz Moisset , Vox Sciurorum , PaleoJon
Frequently Asked Questions About Ichneumon feralis
What is Ichneumon feralis?
Ichneumon feralis is a species in the family Ichneumonidae, within the order Hymenoptera.
How do you identify Ichneumon feralis?
Scutellum white, abdomen with complete white band on T2 and white anal mark on T5-7, hind tarsi reddish-brown. Most similar-looking relatives lack the pale marks on metasomal tergites 5, 6, and 7. See comment by Bob Carlson here .
Where is Ichneumon feralis found?
Range: Alberta to Labrador and part of Northeast USA, presumably limited by the range of spruce trees in which its host lives.