Ichneumon xanthorius
This record describes Ichneumon xanthorius (species). Recorded family: Ichneumonidae. Recorded order: Hymenoptera.
Identification and Appearance
Length 14-16 mm. Both males and females of this species have a black and yellow banded abdomen but are very different. Males have yellow on the first three abdominal segments, then black. Other similar species have black on the first abdominal segment. Females have antennae with red at the base. Both sexes have yellow tibia. Usually seen patrolling around low vegetation and flowers such as umbellifers. Status in Britain is not known possibly due to difficulty of identification.
Wikipedia reference for Ichneumon xanthorius: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Ichneumon_xanthorius.
Classification
- Kingdom
- Animalia
- Phylum
- Arthropoda
- Class
- Insecta
- Order
- Hymenoptera
- Family
- Ichneumonidae
- Genus
- Ichneumon
Imported taxonomy record. Source availability varies; see the source references and editorial policy below.
Habitat and Range
Habitat
Usually seen patrolling around low vegetation and flowers such as umbellifers.
Diet and Behavior
Life History
predatory on moth and butterfly larvae.
Additional species information
Recorded status
Status in Britain is not known possibly due to difficulty of identification.
About Flies: the wider group
Order-level background for Hymenoptera, the group containing Ichneumon xanthorius. 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 xanthorius (3)
Frequently Asked Questions About Ichneumon xanthorius
What is Ichneumon xanthorius?
Ichneumon xanthorius is a species in the family Ichneumonidae, within the order Hymenoptera.
How big is Ichneumon xanthorius?
14-16 mm. Both males and females of this species have a black and yellow banded abdomen but are very different. Males have yellow on the first three abdominal segments, then black. Other similar species have black on the first abdominal segment. Females have antennae with red at the base. Both sexes have yellow tibia.
Where is Ichneumon xanthorius found?
Habitat: Usually seen patrolling around low vegetation and flowers such as umbellifers.
What is the life cycle of a Ichneumon xanthorius?
predatory on moth and butterfly larvae.