Lanugo retentor
This record describes Lanugo retentor (species). Recorded family: Ichneumonidae. Recorded order: Hymenoptera.
Identification and Appearance
Distinguished from other members of the genus by the almost uniformly dark forewings (lacking orange banding) and black at the basal third of the third abdominal segment. The coxae range from infuscate to entirely black. Males may have paler wings than females. The only other species found east of Texas, L. cestus , is readily distinguished by its banded wings (subyhaline with fuscous bands).
Classification
- Kingdom
- Animalia
- Phylum
- Arthropoda
- Class
- Insecta
- Order
- Hymenoptera (Ants, Bees, Wasps and Sawflies)
- Superfamily
- Ichneumonoidea
- Family
- Ichneumonidae (Ichneumonid Wasps)
- Subfamily
- Cryptinae
- Tribe
- Cryptini
- Genus
- Lanugo
Imported taxonomy record. Source availability varies; see the source references and editorial policy below.
Habitat and Range
Geographic Range
eastern (VA to FL, to IN and TX)
Diet and Behavior
Diet: Larval hosts: Megalopygidae .
Additional species information
Species notes from the sources
Etymology: Lanugo retentor (Brulle, 1846)
About Flies: the wider group
Order-level background for Hymenoptera, the group containing Lanugo retentor. 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 Lanugo retentor (5)
Photo credits: Contributed by John F. Carr; Additional contributions by PaleoJon
Frequently Asked Questions About Lanugo retentor
What is Lanugo retentor?
Lanugo retentor is a species in the family Ichneumonidae, within the order Hymenoptera.
How big is Lanugo retentor?
Forewing 8.5 - 11.5 mm ♀, 8.0 - 12.0 mm ♂
How do you identify Lanugo retentor?
Distinguished from other members of the genus by the almost uniformly dark forewings (lacking orange banding) and black at the basal third of the third abdominal segment. The coxae range from infuscate to entirely black. Males may have paler wings than females. The only other species found east of Texas, L. cestus , is readily distinguished by its banded wings (subyhaline with fuscous bands).
Where is Lanugo retentor found?
Range: eastern (VA to FL, to IN and TX)
What does Lanugo retentor eat?
The diet of the Lanugo retentor includes Larval hosts: Megalopygidae ..