Leiophron apicalis

This record describes Leiophron apicalis (species). Recorded family: Braconidae. Recorded order: Hymenoptera.

Identification and Appearance

Length 3-4mm. Forewing basal cell setose, head dorsally behind ocelli not or very weakly striated, body colour light yellow. Unless identified by a recognised expert, photos are required and the specimen should be examined with a microscope. In the comments box, state the key or ID method used and describe the size and identifying characters. Parasitoid of a range of Mirid plant bugs. Stigenberg, J. & van Achterberg, C. (2015) Heads up on Swedish Leiophron (Braconidae, Euphorinae) - a key to species and three new species records. Entomologisk Tidskrift 136 (4): 175-184. No additional images available for this species.

Classification

Kingdom: Animalia
Phylum: Arthropoda
Class: Insecta
Order: Hymenoptera
Family: Braconidae
Genus: Leiophron

Imported taxonomy record. Source availability varies; see the source references and editorial policy below.

Diet and Behavior

Life History

Parasitoid of a range of Mirid plant bugs.

About Flies: the wider group

Order-level background for Hymenoptera, the group containing Leiophron apicalis. 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.

Explore Hymenoptera families and species →