Kapala floridana
This record describes Kapala floridana (species). Recorded family: Eucharitidae. Recorded order: Hymenoptera.
Identification and Appearance
Only described Kapala species present in Florida north of Lake Okeechobee. Another undescribed/undetermined species is known from south Florida . See .
Classification
- Kingdom
- Animalia
- Phylum
- Arthropoda
- Class
- Insecta
- Order
- Hymenoptera (Ants, Bees, Wasps and Sawflies)
- Superfamily
- Chalcidoidea
- Family
- Eucharitidae
- Subfamily
- Eucharitinae
- Genus
- Kapala
Imported taxonomy record. Source availability varies; see the source references and editorial policy below.
Diet and Behavior
Diet: Pogonomyrmex badius is the only known host.
Additional species information
Species notes from the sources
Etymology: Kapala floridana (Ashmead, 1885)
About Flies: the wider group
Order-level background for Hymenoptera, the group containing Kapala floridana. 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 Kapala floridana (3)
Photo credits: Contributed by Ken Wolgemuth; Additional contributions by Bbarnd , metrioptera , PaleoJon
Frequently Asked Questions About Kapala floridana
What is Kapala floridana?
Kapala floridana is a species in the family Eucharitidae, within the order Hymenoptera.
How do you identify Kapala floridana?
Only described Kapala species present in Florida north of Lake Okeechobee. Another undescribed/undetermined species is known from south Florida . See .
What does Kapala floridana eat?
The diet of the Kapala floridana includes Pogonomyrmex badius is the only known host..